Traffic and General Safety Awareness Booklet Traffic Department, Ministry of Interior State of Qatar

Safe Driving Requirements Traffic safety instructions which the driver must follow:
1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10) 11) 12) 13) 14) 15) Adjust the driving seat to the most comfortable and convenient position. Fasten seat belt and prevent children under 10 years old from sitting in the front seat. Adjust the side and inner mirrors to be able to see cars behind or on either side of the car. Ensure that all the passengers are wearing seat belts. Ensure that the hand gear and the gear stick both are in the correct position before starting the car. Check the car horn. Focus on driving while on the road. Follow the speed limit rules. Follow the ground lines that show how to move from one lane to another and how to enter the main roads and roundabouts. Allow safe distance between your car and the car ahead. Ensure the road is clear of traffic before entering into it. Allow pedestrians to cross the road safely. Do not overtake where it is prohibited. Never move suddenly from one lane to another before you check the road is clear. Never use high beam lights as not to disturb the cars approaching from the opposite direction.

Drivers should abide by the following rules:

1. Never use high beam lights to the cars approaching from the opposite direction for whatever reasons. It should not be used in areas with lights whether or not inhabited. 2. Use hazard lights and reflectors when forced to stop at the road side at night.

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3. Drivers must use fog lights when passing fog areas or in areas with low visibility, and it mustn't be used apart from that. In case it doesn't work, use road lights.

4. Follow the directions of Policemen or who else carries out their duties, and comply with the road signs. 5. Legalize the car's status in accordance to the executive regulations issued thereunder. 6. Carry the vehicle documents and driving license to present upon request. 7. Always keep the car clean and good looking. 8. Avoid whatever causes risks or obstruct the traffic, may causes risks to people or public properties or creates obstacles of whatsoever during driving or parking. 9. Never use or hold mobiles or other devices that require to be carried or used by hand while driving.

10. Don't get distracted by watching any visual object from TV while driving.

Safety Measures in Cars:

Modern cars have an integrated and comprehensive safety system which when fully used and as per what it is designed for, would tremendously reduce fatal injuries in accidents. These systems are as follows:

Antilock Braking System ABS It is a modern system that has been deployed in vehicles in late 70s and early 80s. Its benefits are as follows:

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Ability to control steering the vehicle during sudden braking. Assist in preventing slipping during snow or when having water on the roads and the full ability to control brakes under these circumstances.

This system functions on a reciprocal manner on the brake tray to prevent the tires from slipping on the roads in a way that enables the driver to control steering the vehicle when using the brakes. It does not necessarily mean that this system has the ability to reduce the stopping distance that might increases in some cases, and it doesn't make up for the errors resulting from worn tires or lack of air pressure.

Air Bag System It is an air bag that pops up from the steering wheel by the gas emitted as a result of outburst of the capsule embedded in the bag. This capsule bursts at a signal sent from a control device in the vehicle. It works when the vehicle gets into an accident in order to protect the driver and other passengers. Seat Belt Function Concept: Great fixing power is applied on different parts of the seat belt user's body that receives the shocks without hurting it. The design must be accurate with a suitable shape and it must be flexible and quilted so the forces shall be implied over larger areas to prevent secondary injuries.

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Benefits of Seat belts: 1. Keep the seat belt user in the seat when the vehicle starts to stop. 2. Protect the head and face from hitting other parts of the vehicle such as steering wheel and windscreen. It reduces the injury percentage up to 50%. 3. Seats belts prevent passengers from hitting each others. 4. Assist the driver in maintaining control over his/her vehicle, and reduce the possibilities of having additional or consequent accidents. Headrest Headrest aims to protect the driver's head in accidents or at sudden brakes to prevent a full bounce of the head to the back. It must be included in the vehicle and fixed at the top of the seat. Tires Movement is transmited from the engine through the clutch to the gear and then to the drive wheels. All the four tires in the vehicle must be of the same size. The air pressure should be maintained according to the tire's specifications. Try not to check the air pressure when the temperature is high. Depth of tire groves is usually 9 mm and must be replaced when it reaches 1.6 mm as the tire consistency with the road becomes bad. Drivers must check the safety of the tire and assure there are no abnormal bulges, tires tissues appearing, cracks or the tire surface is about to disintegrate.

Functions of Tires: 1. Carry weight. 2. Transmit motion. 3. Stop the vehicle. 4. Endure shocks. 5. Rotate. Changing Tire Instructions: 1. Lift hand brake. 2. Shift gear. 3. If the road is sloping, place a stand in front or behind the car as needed.

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4. 5. 6. 7.

Lift the vehicle properly. Never use a hammer. Tires must be installed by using a special grease or soap. Remove the rocks you placed on the road when done.

Tire Size: Numbers and letters on the tires have certain meanings and indications, for example: A tire with the size: 155/13 means that the tire width is 155 mm and its diameter is 13 inch. 142 also there are letters placed on the tire such as: R means radial S, H, V are signs that indicate the speed that the tire can endure and is usually given in special tables which are universally recognized.

Road Lanes

Drivers must follow the following procedures when moving from one lane to another: 1. Look at the mirrors to ensure that the lane is clear. 2. Use the right signal to move to the intended lane. 3. Turn gradually to the intended lane to place the vehicle in the right position of the road.

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4. Increase or decrease the speed according to the lane you are moving to. Drivers should fully abide by the rules of speed and sequencing of the lanes.

General Rules Drivers Must follow while Dealing with Lanes:

Right lane is dedicated to the lowest allowed speed on the road. Middle lane is dedicated to the lowest allowed speed on the road.

Left lane is dedicated to the highest allowed speed on the road.

How to deal with roundabouts as a driver?

Roundabout is an intersection where traffic moves around a central island counter-clockwise. When entering into the roundabout, follow the correct lane as in the figure, and follow these steps: 1. Use mirrors and signals during all stages. 2. Decide earlier what lane you wish to follow and then give the exact signal. Your signal mustn't cause any confusion to other drivers. 3. Enter the correct lane. 4. Adjust your speed and position to the traffic situation around the roundabout. 5. Pay attention to the street speed and traffic locations around you. 6. If you lost your right to exit the roundabout, take a full turn then try to exit it. 7. In case of having several lanes in the roundabout, choose the enter/ exit lane based on your direction, for example:

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When turning right in the intersection, you must choose the lane on your right hand and exit the lane on your right hand (Blue car). When going forward, you must choose any appropriate lane and keep your track until you exit the roundabout (Red car). But when turning left, you must choose the left lane until you exit the roundabout (Yellow car). When overtaking, you must consider the following: A. When overtaking a large vehicle, you must look at both sides of your vehicle before overtaking. You mustn't return suddenly to the right lane but you may return after you can see the large vehicle you are trying to overtake in the inner mirror of your vehicle.

B.

Choose the appropriate speed and you must consider the following: 1. Choose the right gear change and right speed to be able to overtake in the shortest time possible. 2. Reduce the vehicle speed when overtaking buses and cars disembarking passengers to avoid any accident resulting from those passengers crossing the road in the overtaking lane.

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C.

Overtaking must always be done on the left side of other vehicles or obstacles, except in the following two cases: 1. When the other driver gives the signal of moving from his/her lane to the left side. 2. If the direction has more than one lane provided that the overtaking driver makes sure his/her overtaking to the other lane does not cause danger to others and he/she must draw their attention by a light signal or hand signal.

3. Never overtake students' buses in residential areas while it is stopped, as well as police, Internal Security Force (Lekhwya), ambulance, Civil Defense and Rescue vehicles while they are on emergency calls and they are using their sirens.

Traffic Violations (Administrative Measures and Procedures)

Administrative Measures Chapter of Qatar Traffic Law states a classification of these violations according to the penalty prescribed in the law, as well as procedures taken by staff of the Traffic Department and policemen. It also states cases in which cars or driving licenses are seized.

Crimes that causes vehicles seizure:

The Traffic Department Director or his vice may administratively order to seize any mechanical vehicle for a period not exceeding ninety days, based on a warrant by who registered the incident or investigated in it in the following cases: Driving without a license Car racing Driver committing an act against traditions and public morals inside the car Driving recklessly and irresponsibly Driving under the influence of alcohol Escaping or attempting to escape from the accident scene Noisy sound+ Emission of dense fume

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