The chief of the Traffic Department has hinted that reductions in fines for some violations will be announced soon.
Brig Mohammed Saad Al Kharji, Director of the department, also said traffic police treating the public badly will be held accountable.
“There is good news to be announced soon about the value of (fines) violations,” Al Kharji told a gathering of Qatari youth.
“We never tolerate traffic police making a mistake with motorists and will be held accountable if anyone treats the public badly.
“We constantly organise training courses for police on how to deal with the public,” said Al Kharji.
He was addressing a Ramadan interactive evening session, organized by Mawatir Centre at Four Seasons Hotel.
Captain Riyad Ahmed Saleh, Head, Traffic Awareness Section at the department, Salem Al Mohannadi, Director, Mawatir Centre, Lakhwiya officials and Qatari rally champions Saeed Al Hajri and Mubarak Al Hajri were present along with other traffic officials.
The youth were given a chance to ask questions and present suggestions on traffic issues.
They complained about the non-availability of spare parts for classic cars and difficulties they face to convert some models from six cylinders to eight since these cars are subject to annual technical check-up.
Insurance value for vintage cars is also very low in case they meet with accidents, they said.
They proposed three-year road permits to vintage cars instead of existing one-year.
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The youth also complained about hefty fines for some traffic violations, hidden radars and the ban on balloon tyres.
In reply, Al Kharji said the proposal to issue road permits to classic cars with a validity of more than a year is under study.
He said there is no problem in upgrading the cylinders of vintage cars as long as they comply with technical inspection requirements.
As for surveillance cameras, he said their purpose is not to raise money but to deter motorists from violating rules. The solution is to comply with legal speed limits.
“We don’t think anyone complying with legal speed limits is having a problem with the radars. If people can comply with rules when they are abroad, then why not in Qatar,” he asked.
He said the department was not responsible for the ban on balloon tyres and pointed out that the decision was taken by the Standards and Specifications Department at the Ministry of Environment.
Al Kharji asked traffic officials present to take note of complaints and suggestions raised by the youth and come up with suitable solutions.