Cover image for representational purpose only

Last week, an SUV swerved off the bridge at Doha’s Khalifa Al-Attiyah intersection on to the February 22 street underpass, just below the intersection, killing a little girl and severely injuring the mother and father; a little boy escaped with minor injuries. The mother is in critical condition and undergoing surgeries to save her life.

The reason for the accident that killed one and injured others was overspeeding. The driver, a father of two young children failed to obey the traffic signal, and because of the high speed, was unable to maintain control over the car, and a life was lost.

Could this accident have been avoided?

Of course, it could have.

If the driver had kept within the given speed limit, and not sped through the traffic signal, this tragedy may never have taken place.

There is a purpose for speed limits. There is a reason why driving over the speed limit is again the law all over the world. There is a rationale behind traffic violation fines for overspeeding.

Side effects of overspeeding

• Overspeeding can kill! That’s why it’s important to drive safely.
• There is absolutely no reason for you to overspeed. NONE!!!
• The faster you drive, the longer it will take you to brake, and if the distance between your car and the next car is not enough, there is a chance you will bang right into it, unless your reaction is quick.
• Overspeeding is one of the main reasons for car accidents, especially those with fatalities.
• Overspeeding affects the environment. The higher the speed of the car, the more petrol is consumed and the more carbon dioxide is emitted into the environment.
• Other side effects of overspeeding include increased vehicle noise, more vibrations and possible damage to the engine and tyres.

Side effects of speed limits

• Speed limits are in place to protect you; they must be followed.
• Staying within the speed limit, protects us from accidents; accidents that can be fatal.
• By driving within the given speed limit, it is easier to brake in time during an unforeseen situation.
• A speed limit sign displayed along the road is the highest speed you are supposed to be travelling at, and is determined after a lot of investigation, research and trials of reasonable speed limits and unpredictable situations.
• Speed limits are a guide to the conditions of the roads, the traffic and other unforeseen situations.
• During bad weather (heavy rains, snow, sandstorms, etc.), the displayed speed limit may also become dangerous, so caution must be exercised, and speed should be lowered to avoid accidents.

Over the years, Ministry of Interior Qatar’s General Directorate of Traffic has constantly revised its traffic laws and imposed heavier fines and penalties to ensure everyone is safe on the roads of Qatar, whether they are in the car or outside it. As a result, the Directorate has seen a decline of 1.3% in accidents with injuries in 2017 as compared to 2016. Serious injuries decreased from 872 in 2016 to 743 in 2017, and fatalities declined by 0.6%. The number of accidents in 2017 was 2.4% less than in 2016 with 97.5% of 240,333 road accidents occurring without any injury (Source).

Do you stay within the speed limits? Are you a safe or reckless driver? Do let us know what you think in our comments section.

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Nabeela

Content Writer

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