Qatar police crack down on speeders with new mobile radars

Traffic police are adding more mobile radars to Qatar’s roads, making it harder for speeding motorists to avoid getting caught and fined.

In a statement last week, the Ministry of Interior warned drivers about the new strategy, saying the addition of extra radars is to “encourage the public to adhere to specified speed limits.”

Not doing so can result in a QR500 fine.

Frederik/Flickr

Photo for illustrative purposes only.

The crackdown on speedsters comes as Qatar’s roads appear to be growing less perilous.

Fewer people were killed in traffic accidents last year, and the overall number of accidents and traffic offenses also fell.

However, motorists still racked up more than 1.6 million tickets for bad driving in 2016.

Problem areas

Because mobile radars are often installed in vehicles, which police can park at any location, they are harder for motorists to spot.

So unlike with fixed radars, one cannot simply slow down, pass the device and then speed up again.

Each morning, the MOI has been tweeting the general location of the mobile radars.

Ashghal

Dukhan Highway

The first areas to get the devices included Kharara Road, Al Wakrah-Mesaieed Highway and Al Shamal Highway.

Dukhan and Salwa were added to the list later on last week.