DOHA: The Traffic Department’s decision to reduce the speed limit from 100kmph to 80 on Doha Highway (February 22 Street) has drawn ire from citizens.
They told Al Raya that the decision will lead to more traffic jams instead of solving the problem of accidents.
The department last week announced to reduce the speed limit on the highway.
According to the department, the decision aims to reduce accidents as high speed causes car to pile up. The decision to reduce speed is temporary and the department will take a final decision after monitoring traffic and accidents on the road.
Residents said they were surprised and disappointed by the decision because they were expecting the department to increase speed limit to solve the problem of traffic jams.
Many said the decision aimed to collect more fines and demanded that authorities look at options to reduce traffic congestions.
Mishal Al Sulaiti, a Qatari, said he came to know about the decision only through social media and there was no prior announcement about speed limit change.
Many motorists might have caught by speed radar as they were not informed in advance about the change, he added.
He said any reduction in speed will not solve the problem of accidents or jams. Most accidents occur because some motorists drive slowly in middle and left lanes. Ali Kuwari, another citizen, said only time will tell if the decision will lead to reduction in accidents but one thing is sure that there will be more jams as this is one of the busiest roads.
Rashid Al Balushi said there was traffic congestion on the day of the enforcement of the decision. The main reason behind accidents, according to him, is lack of emergency parking on the highway.
Abdul Rahman Al Ma’adid said the decision will neither solve the problem of accidents nor jams. The solution is to prevent buses and trucks from entering the road during peak hours.
These vehicles, he said, do not comply with rules to remain on the right lane which creates confusion among motorists.
The initiative to reduce of speed should be applied on entrances and exits. Most entrances and exits on the highway are narrow which cause confusion and accidents, he added.
The Peninsula
