Doha                                                                                                                                                                                                       08 July 2018

The Ministry of the Interior launched a traffic awareness campaign, titled “Accident-free summer” to raise awareness of the common traffic violations and enhance the knowledge of road users in order to further reduce accidents on the roads.

This was announced in a press conference held at the General Directorate of Traffic in Madina Khalifa.

Brig.  Mohammed Saad Al Kharji, Director General of Traffic, praised the role of the media in spreading traffic awareness, stressing that they were authentic partners in this field as well as in raising awareness of the negative impact of traffic violations on the roads. He invited for more media efforts and support in the next phase.

He said that the first week of the “Accident-free summer” campaign will focus on awareness on the offence of stopping in a yellow box junction.

He pointed out that the road is supposed to be vital, and that vehicle users shall give others the opportunity to cross intersections without interruption. This is stipulated in Article (72) of the Traffic Law No. (19) of 2007, which says that motorists shall undertake to observe automatic traffic signals while driving.  Despite having priority or if the traffic light indicates green, a motorist may not move the vehicle if such act will disrupt or hinder traffic, and whoever has priority may waive such priority if traffic conditions so require.

Director General Traffic stated that the cameras at intersections will monitor the stopping violation in the yellow box, which brings in fine of 500 Qatari riyals; it is not permissible to settle by paying half only.

He wanted the media to intensify awareness of this violation during this week, to be followed of other traffic violations in the coming weeks as well.

The “Accident-free summer” campaign is aimed at all road users, citizens and residents, to avoid traffic violations that often lead to traffic accidents. The campaign seeks to minimize accidents and to spread security and safety on the road to all its users.

The campaign is participated by many media channels, local media and local non-Arabic radios. It also includes local, foreign and Asian newspapers as well as social media.

Brig. Al-Kharaji added that 50 significant fancy numbers will be obtainable as a first stage, through Metrash2, from 12 noon on Tuesday 10 July 2018, at fixed prices in some categories, starting from 15,000 riyals to 3000 riyals.

He said that a buyer of a number of these numbers had no right to buy another number until 72 hours after his previous purchase, in order to allow more buyers to obtain those numbers.