Driving in Doha

Driving here is an absolute nightmare. It takes 45 mins to go less than 20kms. Without any exaggeration, I can tell you honestly that you see at least 3-4 potential accidents per trip. If you are lucky, you are only in 1-2 potential accidents per trip yourself.

It appears that the entire population (no race or ethnicity excluded) has forgotten some simple driving rules...

1. Look in front of you (I wish I was joking). Front doesn't mean the end of your hood either. It means the horizon.

2. Signal.

3. Shoulder check! Shoulder check! Shoulder check!

4. The inside lane of a roundabout should not be used for taking the first exit.

5. Using your brakes should not be an after thought.

6. The horn is NOT a legitimate driving tool be used at all times.

7. Driving at night with your lights off is not cool. It is unsafe.

8. Flashing your lights as you tailgate someone is not actually a generally accepted driving principle.

Here, nobody will let you in. If you are in a lane be prepared to let in one or two cars (because you are a nice Canadian) and then be cut off by four more. It is nerve wracking, stressful and adds years to your life and gray hairs to your head. It is the only part of our new life that I can honestly I hate and that it will be a struggle to get through.

Some videos for you....

One of the amazing intersections that they have here...part roundabout, part something else...note how many people get out of cars that randomly stop everywhere and then they try and cross - to add pedestrian dodging to the fun! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD8SuZnHfho

This is a good one as well...watch how many Land Cruisers come from behind at high speeds...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lExlCOp1BXc

Accident on the Corniche (main road on the water). See how many people a) start honking and b) drive up behind the accident and slam on the brakes...like they didn't even see it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqez617biuU

Wish us luck!