(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Sanaullah Ataullah |
The Peninsula
Doha, Qatar: Using headphones while driving and placing a mobile phone on a dashboard stand are not traffic violations, but using any visual devices including mobile phones while driving is a violation, said a top official.
“Searching or typing on a mobile phone, even for navigation, while driving is a violation according to article No. 55 of Traffic Law which stipulates that being busy with any electronic visual device or using mobile while driving is a violation,” said Head of the Radar and Scales Department at the General Directorate of Traffic Major Hamad Ali Al Muhannadi.
Speaking to Al Rayan TV, he said that the motorist can look at the screen in the car dashboard or mobile phone placed on the stand for navigation purposes but they should not search or type while driving.
“They should put on the navigation app before moving their vehicles,” said Al Muhannadi.
The General Directorate of Traffic will start automated monitoring of traffic violations of not wearing seat belts and using mobile phones while driving from September 3, 2023.
The two violations will be detected through the unified radar system which is connected to all radars and road CCTV cameras installed across the country. The system aims at reducing road accidents causing death and injuries.
He said that road accidents are expected to go down remarkably with a decrease in the use of mobile phones while driving.
“Our main fois to ensure motorists wear seat belts and curb the uses of mobile phones after successful implementation of the rules for reducing over-speeding,” said Al Muhannadi.
He said that not wearing seat belts and using a mobile phone while driving were found among the major factors of many recent road accidents.
The Head of the Radar and Scales Department urged motorists to abide by the traffic rules for their and other's safety.
“Mobile phone distracts attention while driving. Most of the accidents are caused by mobile phones. It is very dangerfor motorists as it distracts their attention from driving,” said Al Muhannadi.
He added that not wearing a seat belt is one of the most seriviolations because of the damage it causes to the driver, stressing that the seat belt is the first line of safety for the driver.
He called on all road users to comply with the traffic law and its executive regulations to preserve lives and property, and to contribute to the great efforts made by the variconcerned authorities across the country, stressing that traffic safety is a joint responsibility between the official authorities and the society.