DOHA: The unprecedented traffic jams the city has been witnessing these days have had a negative impact on the behaviour of motorists, making them rude and less tolerant, say residents.
Bad road manners and rash driving are on the rise, with the long wait at clogged intersections and roundabouts pushing motorists to the brink.
Closures and diversions in many crowded areas, especially along the C-Ring Road, have caused a tremendous increase in traffic jams in the heart of the city in recent months.
Drivers are more adamant and less willing to give way to others fearing that even a small compromise would mean more time for them to reach their destinations.
Honking and putting flash lights are familiar on the Doha roads to scare away vehicles moving in front, but such practices have increased with a rise in traffic congestions, a local Arabic daily reported yesterday, quoting citizens and expatriates.
“You can see some motorists honking while the signal lights are on and all vehicles are moving.
“There are also motorists flashing headlights behind you, forcing you to change the lane or cross the speed limit,” said a respondent.
“Every day I am facing odd behaviour from other motorists.
“Many times I have taken pictures of erring vehicles to lodge complaints against them but I would drop the idea later.
“Doha was not like this before. It has become a crowed city, thanks to infrastructure projects. Traffic jams have changed the behaviour of the people,” a respondent named Ibrahim Ahmed was quoted as saying.
Motorists entering from side roads and blocking exit points at intersections is another major problem leading to traffic jams.
Congestions also force some motorists to overtake from right and crisscross lanes in their hurry to reach their destinations.
“Once I was blocked by cars entering from side roads and the signal lights went on and off many times,” said a resident.
A woman respondent said every day she goes to her school crossing Al Jaidah bridge heading from Salwa Road, where renovation works are going on.
“Entering the bridge will take a long time. If you give space to other cars coming from side roads, you will be kept waiting.
“Earlier I was very generous but now I have become like other motorists because I have no option. If you try to behave, you will reach your office late,” she said. The Peninsula
