Doha: The General Directorate of Traffic today clarified that the fine for using mobile phones or any other device in hand or busy watching any visual from the screen placed in the vehicle while driving is QR500.
Using mobile phones while driving is among the major causes of road accidents in Qatar and about 80 to 90 percent of traffic accidents are caused by the use of mobile phones while driving especially on highways.
Speaking today during a webinar on "Common Traffic Mistakes among the Drivers", Lieutenant Jassim Al Ansari, officer from the General Directorate of Traffic said that most of the traffic violations are currently recorded electronically using cameras and radars and most areas of Doha are covered by cameras.
The webinar was organized by the Public Relations Department of the Ministry of Interior in association with the Traffic Awareness Department and attended by more than 130 people.
“Among other common traffic violations are minor accidents, where the vehicles must be moved immediately and not obstruct the road. In the event of not moving, the fine is QR 1,000,” Lieutenant Al Ansari said.
He also explained that “in the event of major accidents, it is better to leave the vehicles at the scene of the accident until the arrival of the police patrols.”
Another violation is overtaking from the right, and it faces a fine of QR 1,000 and impounding the car for a week. Also, the fine for not wearing a seatbelt is QR500 for the driver as well as the other person who sits in the front seats. As for the back seats, the belt is not mandatory.
The fine for illegal parking of cars in slots reserved for people with special needs is QR1,000. Three points will also be deducted from the driver’s points scale.
Al Ansari urged everyone to adhere to the traffic law, especially speed limits on the road, in order to preserve public safety.
Pedestrians also should cross the road from only the designated places or else they face a fine of QR 200.
