DOHA: About sixty percent of traffic violations are seized electronically through the cameras deployed on the roads and at the main streets of all areas of the country.

“The 80% of the new roads will be opened by the end of this year and they will contribute to easing the congestion in many areas and reduce the time of transportation,” said Colonel Mohammed Radhi Al Hajri, Director of Media and Traffic Awareness Department.

Al Hajri was speaking at a symposium organised by the General Directorate of Traffic at Al Sailiya as part of Ramadan awareness campaign and attended by a number of traffic officers and members of the Central Municipal Council (CMC).

“The aim of these meetings and dialogues is to strengthen the relations between the General Directorate of Traffic and all members of the community and provide bridges of communication to exchange ideas and ideas and listen to problems to find solutions,” he added.

Colonel Mohammed Radhi Al Hajri, Director of Media and Traffic Awareness Department, with traffic officers and members of the Central Municipal Council during the event. 

He also pointed out that the traffic patrols were constantly intensifying their campaigns to limit the stopping of trucks in residential areas due to their illegal movement, as well as they caused many problems for the residents of these areas.  The Department in collaboration with Urban Planning Department at the Ministry of Municipality and Environment is studying to provide parking for trucks in a number of areas including the city of Mawatr At Rawdat Rashid, Al Hajri mentioned.

Major Jaber Mohamed Rashid Odaiba, Assistant Director of Media and Traffic Awareness Department said that the General Directorate of Traffic during a campaign conducted by The Patrols and Investigations Departments had seized 1000 vehicles during Ramadan.

About the details of drives, Odaiba said that the campaign seized 800 vehicles for reckless driving and drifting in the residential area, and about 200 vehicles were seized for installing full cooling films on the car window glasses and the issuance of disturbing sounds, in addition to  speed and overtaking from the right violations.

He also pointed out that  the vehicles of the violators are seized in case of violating the law and this confiscation of vehicle is for a maximum period of three months. “The punishment also included hefty fines which might reach up to QR3,000,” he added.

He said that the drive will continue aimed to decrease traffic violations and provide maximum security and safety for all road users, whether drivers or pedestrians . For his part, Captain Mohamed Mesfer Al-Hajri, head of the Traffic Planning Section at the General Directorate of Traffic, revealed the imminent construction of a bridge to connect the area of  Mbeirik and Al-Sailiya to provide alternative entrances to the Sailiya and Abu Nakhla areas on both the southern and northern sides.

“The work is currently underway to complete the procedures for the start of construction of the bridge in coordination with the Public Works Authority (Ashghal),” he said.