Reacting to the above idea, many say it is not the right solution and would rather trigger more serious problems.
Since the committee has members from the Ministry of Interior, Advisory Council and the Public Works Authority (Ashghal), among others, there is a likelihood its recommendation may actually lead to curbs on issuing of driver’s licences.
According to critics, that would be unfortunate, for instead of reducing traffic congestion on the city’s roads, it would lead to a number of other, more serious problems.
“A major problem we foresee is that domestic drivers would demand a raise in their wages as, no doubt, they would be a privileged category,” said a critic, requesting anonymity.
The illegal private taxi business that had been thriving for many years but currently remains under check due to severe government clampdowns, would begin mushrooming again as people look for alternatives in the absence of adequate means of public transport, including the licensed cabs, said the critic.
Driving schools would be affected as their business and profit forecasts would go haywire. And more importantly, the sale of cars — both new and used — would be hit hard if fewer driver’s licences are issued.
“Qatar is a lively market for both brand new and second-hand cars. That would be spoilt,” said the critic.
Rent-a-car companies would have a gala time as newcomers, especially those holding international driver’s licences are allowed to drive here for a limited duration, said another critic not wanting his name in print.
There would additionally be increasing clamour for drivers’ visas in companies, particularly private ones. “I wouldn’t be surprised if, in a strict licensing regime, even professionals working with us insist that their occupation be changed to that of a driver so they can seek a driver’s licence easily,” said the critic, who owns a business.
Critics say introducing curbs on issuing driver’s licences to expatriates isn’t the solution to traffic congestion. “Its’ like curing a simple disease and causing a number of more serious ailments in the process of treatment.”
Expanding the road infrastructure of the city, taking steps to dilute the density of population and evenly distribute the population in areas out of the city, and improving the public transport system, including deploying more buses and taxis on the roads, are effective long-term solutions to traffic-related woes on Doha’s roads, they say.
