BY MOHAMMAD SHOEB
Growing traffic snarls in Qatar can be addressed by developing roads, highways, parking facilities and an affordable public transport system, and by better traffic management, not by limiting the number of driver’s licences issued, say officials at driving schools.
Many of them believe that “change in the attitude of some motorists” and “decentralisation of settlements” are issues that need to be addressed on a priority basis to find a permanent solution to traffic-related problems.
“Curbing the issuance of driver’s licences will provide very little or no solution to traffic-related problems. One should go to the root cause of the problems instead of finding temporary solutions,” said Omar Kaballo, manager of Al Khebra Driving School.
Recently, a high-level committee with representatives from different government organisations reviewed the policy for issuing driver’s licences. Providing the licences to a limited number of expatriates is one of its recommendations for improving the traffic situation on Qatar’s roads.
As per the existing laws, anyone with a no-objection letter from his/her sponsor can apply for a driver’s licence irrespective of their job, income or nationality. But if the panel’s recommendations are approved by the Cabinet, getting a licence will be difficult for newly arriving foreign workers.
“If the government wants to restrict low-income or unskilled workers from getting a licence, it will not have much impact because they constitute only about five percent of the total number of applicants,” Kaballo said.
“Over the years we have learnt that a large chunk of trainees seeking a driver’s licence come here on a driver’s or technician’s (plumber, printer and other artisans) visa but they are actually skilled professionals and diploma-holders,” he said, and wondered if the authorities could afford to deny them licences.
“Reform in the visa issuing policy for companies is also an important issue to be addressed,” he added.
“We need to address the question as to why expatriate workers seek a driver’s licence. Mowasalat has not succeeded in providing an effective and affordable public transportation system. Is it easy to wait half an hour for a Karwa taxi or bus in such harsh climatic conditions?”
Pointing to the growing influx of expatriate workers, he said: “Soon Qatar’s population will cross the two million mark, and it will keep growing until 2022, so curbing driver’s licences will not help.... Only better traffic management, with effective coordination and cooperation among the Labour Department, Traffic Department and the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) can provide a permanent solution.”
“Look at European countries; they have more cars, but due to better planning and well-organised systems they have smooth traffic flow. There is no reason why Qatar cannot have such a system in place.”
The number of vehicles in Qatar is growing exponentially. According to statistics from the Traffic Department, more than 88,000 new vehicles hit the roads in 2012, and 108,000 new driver’s licences were issued during the year. The number of new vehicles registered in 2011 was 70,000, and about 105,000 driver’s licences were issued that year.
According to figures from the Ministry of Interior, there are about 876,000 cars on average on Doha’s roads on week days, 1,553 school buses, and only 153 public transport buses.
Traffic conditions on Qatar’s roads are deteriorating with the rising number of vehicles. During office hours, especially between 7 am and 8.30 am, it can take hours to travel a distance that can be covered in 20 minutes at other times.
Construction work on big infrastructure projects such as Doha Metro and stadiums for the 2022 Fifa World Cup will not make things easier as it will involve thousands of truck trips to transport raw and waste material.
A dedicated committee that looks into the problem of traffic jams has identified 138 vulnerable spots across Doha, including the Ramada Hotel intersection and Corniche Road.
Then there is the problem of accidents.
Experts believe that most accidents occur due to rash driving and other mistakes that can be avoided.
“Over 220,000 accidents take place in Qatar every year, which means over 20 percent, or one out of every five motorists, are meeting with accidents. These numbers are alarming. But it’s not due to poor driving skills. It is largely because of the attitude of motorists. Some people know that texting or talking on a mobile phone while driving may be dangerous, but they don’t care,” said Ayaz Khan, training manager at a driving school.
He added: “A driving school can improve one’s driving skills, not attitude. A licence is a privilege, not a right. In the US, not everybody owns a licence.”
He said there was no easy solution to the problem. “The infrastructure as well as the traffic management system needs to be improved…. One-lane roads coupled with an offensive driving attitude will definitely prove fatal.”
When asked if the proposed rules would have an adverse impact on their business, officials at different schools gave varying answers.
“Stricter driver’s licensing policy for expatriate workers will definitely have an impact on business as the law will directly affect the number of people coming for registration. However, until we receive any official notice or details about the proposed law, I cannot say anything about the magnitude or economic cost of the impact” said Mohmmad Al Zain Ibrahim, executive manager of Gulf Driving School.
He added: “I read in the newspaper about the proposed law, but have not received any information from the authorities…. About 20 years ago, similar policies existed, under which licences were issued only to some people, such as professionals and family drivers.”
There are eight driving schools in Qatar, each with 100 to 150 vehicles. All of them are doing good business as they are flooded with applications from those wanting to take driving lessons. The average waiting time for the lessons can vary from one week to a month, depending on the school and its timings.
“I am in a marketing job which requires me to move frequently through the day. Given the situation of public transportation in the country, I am now seeking a driver’s licence. A Qatari driver’s licence will be valid in all the GCC countries, which will be an added advantage in my resume,” said Abdul Hameed, a relationship manager working with a private company.
He added: “In marketing jobs, the first question an interviewer asks is about a valid licence. After getting it, not only will my employability be high, but I will also get a good salary hike.”
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