Updated on June 26 to reflect comments from a traffic consultant.
Qatar residents who spot motorists breaking road rules are being reminded that they can take photos of the violations and report them to the country’s Ministry of Interior (MOI), through the Metrash 2 mobile phone app.
In two animated short videos recently posted on Facebook, MOI highlighted the importance of not blocking yellow box junctions, and to not overtake other motorists by driving on the shoulder.
The option to report road violators was first introduced at the end of last year, to a welcome reception. But so far, the short videos have only shown pedestrians reporting violators.
This has prompted some residents to point out that there are very few people walking on Qatar’s streets, especially in the summer. The more likely scenario would be that those who are driving or stopped at a traffic light would spot violations.
However, there is concern about taking photos and reporting other motorists because it is a violation of Qatar’s traffic law to use a mobile phone while driving. Speaking to Doha News, a traffic consultant here said that the app should only be used by passengers and pedestrians – not those who are driving.
Additionally, some residents have commented that they would feel uncomfortable taking photos of Qatari nationals.
Finally, as the Metrash reporting system requires photos to be taken with the GPS coordinates of where the violation took place, the user would have to upload the picture immediately, which could be difficult and potentially dangerous if they are driving at the time.
Larger campaign
The videos are part of Qatar’s latest campaign to reduce congestion and ensure more people abide by the traffic laws. Last month, for example, MOI posted a list of tips on car horn etiquette on its Facebook page.
It featured “dos and dont’s” such as not using the horn to say “hello” to a friend on the road and to get the attention of a shopkeeper while sitting in the car.
And just last week, the Traffic Department announced a crack-down on drivers who cut in from the right at intersections and roundabouts, threatening to impound the cars of repeat offenders.
Do you plan to report any violators you spot? Thoughts?
What about the bad drivers who sit in the over taking lanes? It leaves no option but to undertake them to get pass. Silly idea asking the public to post photos.
Asking the public to do their job is a clear admission they are incapable of policing our streets. How about they give a camera to traffic police and they do their job?
I just posted something similar but it seems to have disappeared. Any reason @Shabina S. Khatri? It didn’t violate the policy and it was on topic. I see another comment also disappeared. The header says 5 comments but only 3 show up. What’s up with the site tonight?
Hmm, we seem to have a troll flagging up random comments. I’ve just approved a slew of them that were in pending.
Never mind comments that appear to be awaiting moderation, what about comments that disappear?!
Oh, so first it disappears, and then it hangs in “awaiting moderation’? After being approved? Doesn’t make any sense
Thanks Shabina. I see that the comment you replied to in this thread is now “awaiting moderation.” Does that mean that I now have my own personal troll? If so, I’m flattered! 🙂 Do I get a certificate or something like that?
asking drivers to commit a road violation to photograph other committing them is just crazy; further, can you imagine an indian male taking a photo of a Qatari female and getting away with it… no chance. stupid idea
just install a dashboard camera,easier
This was a bad idea when sent out last year and it’s still a bad idea today. One of the things that bugs me to no end is when I’m passing a large truck on the road to RLIC or MIC while within the speed limit (on the left of course!) and an “entitled” driver blows up behind me at 180 giving me the horn, flashing lights, and sometimes the finger (you’re all shocked, I know). Look buddy, I’ll get over after passing the truck, but I’m not going to run him off the road or go over the speed limit. With this brilliant app, I now have to worry about my new friend fumbling with one of his eight iPhones (one that he’s not currently talking on) while driving three cm from my rear bumper. I feel like a broken record, but if the traffic police actually did their jobs and handed out tickets at the spot of the infraction without possibility of wasta intervention when it came to the consequences, there wouldn’t be a need for vindictive crowd-sourced law enforcement.
Yep too true.
being busy with cell phone while driving will invite a traffic fine…
Question: does that mean that when I report the violation , I will also be charged.???..
FYI—- in order to report violations and not being charged I actually keep a digital camera on my lap.Now you are forcing me to use a mobile itself…oh… boy..
I can just imagine the scenario.
See violation – take photo – fix GPS co-ords – report to police.
Turns out that the violator was the wrong kind – lots of wasta – I get arrested for ‘violating his privacy’.
That would be the dilemma?
I’d like to hear some very official assurances that the law would be applied to all, and that there would be no sorry tales in DN reflecting the above.
So if I see the prime minster and his driving violating several traffic rules and document it will anything happen? Or is he above the law?
I wish I had remembered about this today as I was passed on the hard shoulder by a traffic cop (in his traffic police land cruiser) doing at least 120 at the airport (speed limit of 30 going up to 60) whilst he was texting on his phone. This idea is totally pointless. If I’d taken his photo I’d have been in trouble for using my phone while driving!
How in the world am I supposed to take pictures of other drivers while driving? Shouldn’t people be focused on their driving?
They expect you to have the dexterity and multi-tasking skills of some people…
Another great release from the creators of “We all see you…”, “One love” and “hold your breath… Changes are coming”…
Don’t forget “Reflect your respect!”
How I could ? 😛
This is another classic I cracked up when I read this. Are we supposed to take this seriously. Others here have stated the obvious.
Apparently there are an awful lot of vehicles out there with just one person in them. Might I suggest to people they could have their passengers take the photo?
I saw a clip on the news recently on driving in Russia. Apparently it’s so bad most cars have a permanent video fixed to the car for insurance proof. Maybe this is the way to go here. Lol
However what would happen when passing sensitive areas like MOD places?
I have a GoPro on my Dashboard for that very reason.
hey thats a good idea!! does it work well???
It is great and I got one crash already – thankfully I was not involved.
I use my iTouch as a substitute dashcam
Is there a highway code booklet for Qatar so that drivers know the rules of the road and what is allowed? Might be useful for drivers to know which lane to cruise in along Salwa Road, or expect trucks to stay in nearside lane at roundabouts for all movements.
Useful if the booklet was published in many languages and freely available.
Well I’m going to try it. Each time I’m waiting in line at lights to turn left I get no end of idiots that prefer the shortcut of just driving to the front of the queue and pushing in, maybe now I won’t try so hard not to let them in, but let them in far enough and then SNAP! Plenty of time to take a pic in stationary traffic
I dont let them in and they look at me as if Im the rude one??????
I know, I often gets looks of sheer disgust, so I like to casually wave them away as I drive past, the eruption of rage I can spot in my rear view mirror is pathetic
So thats what the traffic police are doing when driving past me at 150kmh on the hard shoulder with their blackberry in hand, they are taking photos of law breaking motorists, it now all makes sense.
Good grief..why cant the police just do their job….
I just checked out the Metrash 2 app, and you have to have a Qatari ID to be able to use it. What about the people who are here on a tourist or work visa, so do not have a QID?
It won’t apply, they will be too busy with trauma therapy!
Work visa implies a QID.
“Free-lancers” on a six-month work visa do not get a Qatari ID number.
No such thing as a six-month “free-lancer” work visa. Some people abuse the tourist visas and assume they can work.
No such thing? There are thousands of them here.
Here’s the full official list of visa types:
http://www.moi.gov.qa/site/english/departments/PassportDept/sections/sec748/748.html
Here’s the full official list of visa services:
http://www.moi.gov.qa/site/english/departments/PassportDept/sections/sec1082/1082.html
No such thing as a six-month “free-lancer” work visa… None of them allow work.
Yes I know but its a figure of speech, the Visa run to Dubai is big business for Fly Dubai, Qatar Airways etc. Lots of ‘consultants’ here in Qatar. Not me though just a stay at home Dad and public forum commentator 😉
I can say it again: “No such thing as a six-month “free-lancer” work visa. Some people abuse the tourist visas and assume they can work.”… Lots of illegal immigrants.
i used the app once…but in the time it took to load the app the incident was over!!!!! the next time i used the app was after i took a pic and then uploaded it through the app!!! that’s the only way it is possible. coz once you start the app enter the pin and then select the option to take photo almost a minute is over!!!
I thought it was illegal to use a phone while driving . . .
How do you get the Metrash2 Activation code for their app even?
What a pathetic substadard way of traffic enforcement. Where are the special highway patrol announce last November that were to be “specially trained” to address these problems? What are the traffic police doing other than setting a poor example?
i know this is an old thread but what about those idiots who drive with only their park lights on or no lights at all? you can’t see them properly at night also! where are the enforcers?
Anyone know where to send video clips to MOI ? UAE has the facility but not Qatar.
“a traffic consultant here said that the app should only be used by passengers and pedestrians – not those who are driving”
-most of us are alone in the car driving when these things happen…