E-scooter riders urged to adhere to traffic safety rules

Doha: Director of the Traffic Awareness Department of the General Directorate of Traffic, Colonel Muhammad Radi Al Hajri, has urged e-scooter riders to adhere to the traffic rules to ensure their safety and others on roads.

“E-scooter is close to motorbike in applying traffic rules. The difference between the two is in motorbike the person is sitting while driving and in the e-scooter the rider stands. So the e-scooter riders also should adhere to traffic rules,” said Al Hajri in a Qatar Radio programme. He advised to e-scooter riders to take the necessary precautions and follow the safety measures like wearing helmets and phosphoric jackets to ensure their safety and others.

“The riders of e-scooters are also required to use the tracks dedicated for them. The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has built long cycling tracks all over the country to ensure the safety of riders and others,” said Al Hajri.

Speaking about the tinted glass of vehicles, he said that the transparent car glass film which does not block the vision inside the vehicle and only protects the transmission of light is allowed and such glass film does not need permission from the Traffic Department. “However, the tinted glass which blocks the vision inside the car needs permission from the Traffic Department. The motorists can also apply seeking permission for tinted glasses on medial grounds,” said Al Hajri.

He said that there is a special committee that assesses such applications and allows use of tinted glasses as per the medical needs of the applicant. To a question about driving on two lanes, he said that the provision of traffic law stipulates to use only one lane at one time except when need to change the lane. 

“It is prohibited to use two lanes at a time. Using two lanes at a time is a violation which invites a fine of QR500,” said Al Hajri.

However, he said, cases of using two lanes are reported rarely. “All motorists are adhering to their lanes and this is what we have observed. This violation might be in the past, but now all roads are marked showing the separate lanes clearly, especially on highways,” said Al Hajri.