DOHA: The General Directorate of Traffic has advised people not to leave their children in the vehicles even for a short time and to take more care of vehicles to avoid fire incidents as it occurs increasingly in the summer due to high temperature.
“The Department’s awareness efforts focus more on the vehicle's body especially the tyres, because high temperatures can become a serious problem for tyres, especially if they are not properly maintained,” said Major Jaber Mohamed Rashid Odaiba, Assistant Director of Media & Traffic Awareness Department.
All tyres — including the spare — should be checked regularly. One should look for any visible signs of wear or damage. It is important also to check the pressure of the tyres at least once a month. The air pressure in the tyre drops naturally and high temperatures can increase the drop, according to an expert in this field.
Motorists have to respond immediately in case they smell burning rubber or plastic in the vehicles.
Regarding a question about cases of stunt-driving and drifting which see a rise in summer, Odaiba pointed out that the police patrols are deployed more in the evening until late at night and such violators will get the proper punishment.
The punishment includes hefty fines which might reach QR3,000 or more and impounding of the vehicles for a maximum of three months. Cases of repeat violation will be transferred to public prosecution.
The Department is also tight monitoring on some violations like overtaking from right and in addition its fine which is QR1000 fine, the vehicles will be seized one week, adding that the traffic laws is subject to study from time to time and there is a Legislative Committee decides an increase of fines or not.
He also added that the opening of new roads doesn’t mean to allow to people to over speed. The aim is to avoid traffic congestion.
To ensure speeding and related accidents do not occur, the Department has placed mobile radars at locations with high risk of speeding which has helped reduce the number of accidents.
Brigadier Mohammed Saad Al Kharji, Director of the General Directorate of Traffic, said, in an earlier interview with this daily that the Department is working to increase the number of radars and distances between two radars will become 2.5km from existing 5km after the execution of plan because it is more effective in reducing speed violations.
