Drivers in Qatar who get into small accidents can now skip trips to the traffic department, the Ministry of Interior (MOI) has announced.
Instead, they can report the incident via the Metrash2 app and not have to wait to speak to authorities directly.
فيديو يشرح تسجيل الحوادث المرورية البسيطة عن طريق مطراش2 #الداخلية_قطر pic.twitter.com/wWVzYqEatV
— وزارة الداخلية – قطر (@MOI_Qatar) August 1, 2016
During a press conference today, officials said those in small accidents should take photos on the scene and utilize the GPS on their phone when filing the report on Metrash.
“Any accident between two cars only and where there are no injuries qualifies as a minor accident,” Ali Ahmed Al Binali, head of e-services & internet section at the MOI’s information systems department, told Doha News.
Easing congestion
The move comes as officials work to streamline accident reporting procedures via electronic reporting, cutting down on paperwork and manpower.
Historically, anyone involved in a car accident needed to head straight to the traffic department to file a report, or wait for police to arrive on the scene and then go the station, as well as pay any necessary fines.
Since May, drivers also had the option of going to one of five new traffic investigation offices at insurance companies.
How it works
Either of the car owners can report the accident, giving their Qatar ID numbers, car registration numbers and providing photos of both cars.
According to the MOI, the vehicles involved should be moved swiftly after taking photos to keep traffic flowing smoothly.
Metrash2 will prompt users to review and agree to the report. As soon as that is done, the person who filed the incident will get an SMS of the case number.
This information goes to the traffic department for investigators’ clearance and approval.
The person who filed the report then gets a second SMS directing the parties to go to their insurance companies for vehicle repairs or claims.
In Qatar, accident reports must be filed within 48 hours, or motorists risk a QR1,000 fine.
Metrash2
Metrash means “sending someone on your behalf” and can be downloaded here.
It allows nationals and expats to perform 100 services, including renewing residence permits and driver’s licenses, conducting vehicle ownership transfers, sorting out exit permits, completing visit visa applications and approvals and renewing e-gate cards from their smartphones.
The app operates in Arabic, English, French, Spanish, Urdu and Malayalam.
UPDATE: Here’s a step-by-step guide to reporting accidents on Metrash:
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