DOHA: People being allowed to click photographs of traffic violations and forwarding them to Metrash2 is seen by many as a practice that can be best avoided as it can cause misunderstandings, fights and heartburn among individuals.
It can also amount to breach of privacy of people and families. And such photographs can be manipulated through photoshop and misused, according to experts and members of the public.
Metrash2 is the Ministry of Interior’s smartphone application. Smartphone users having this application can send photos of violations directly to authorities.
Qatari psychologist, Dr Moza Al Malki, told this daily yesterday that she was surprised how authorities permitted such a practice since it amounted to spying.
“It breaches people’s privacy. We already are a society with enough problems,” Al Malki said.
Pictures taken of women and children or families can be misused and they can be exploited, she added.
Another critic, not wanting his name in print, said the practice could lead to marital and family woes and must be discontinued.
“Suppose I have told my wife I am going to a particular place but actually I am going somewhere else. My car meets with an accident and its photograph is posted on Metrash2 for everyone to see, then what will happen? This practice should be done away with immediately, said the critic.
Criticising the practice, many people told the local Arabic daily Al Raya in comments published yesterday that it could lead people to harm one another. “There are other — and better — ways of people informing authorities of traffic violations,” said some.
Motorists can also be under pressure from the public, so authorities allowing people to click pictures of violations could be a risky affair.
“Most violations are not committed deliberately,” argued yet another critic.
Nasser Al Miraikhi said people should be responsible and behave that way as authorities cannot afford to appoint a traffic policeman for each motorist.
Saad Al Kaabi said the Metrash2 practice isn’t bad but can lead people to harm one another. First, you need a specialist to tell authorities that a photograph of a violation is genuine.
He said his car was once blocked in a parking lot by another car and he took a picture and called traffic police, as nobody turned up to remove the vehicle although he had waited for a while.
“I was asked to report the matter to the nearest traffic police station but as I thought of doing that the motorist appeared and apologised. I let the matter go. What would have happened if I had sent the picture to Metrash2?”
Another problem is you cannot click pictures of women drivers involved in accidents or violations because that can take a different turn. It is a crime, he added.
The Peninsula
