Veteran drivers get Traffic Week salute

As part of the ongoing GCC Traffic Week, the ‘veteran’ drivers were yesterday honoured by the Traffic and Patrol Department during a ceremony at the Capital Police Station.

For the first time, the batch of senior citizens included two women who were honoured for “being a role model of safe driving”.

Traffic Department director Brig Mohamed Saad al-Kharji distributed the awards.

HMC chairperson Latifa al-Houti, who was invited as a special guest emphasised on the relevance of this year’s slogan: Don’t call until you arrive, which is targeted to create awareness about the dangers of talking on the phone while driving.

Pointing out that she received her Qatari driving licence in 1970, three years after getting an American licence, Dr al-Houti said: “As a mother, I urge youth to drive safely and to protect themselves. Hasty driving is like a suicide which is prohibited in Islam.”

The highlight of the Traffic Week, which began on Saturday, is an exhibition (next to the Civil Defence headquarters) held under the patronage of the Public Security director Staff Maj Gen Saad bin Jasim al-Kholeifi.

Meanwhile, Qatar Sports League (QSL) has launched a novel initiative, the Jumicar Road Safety Park for children, by the Masraf Al Rayan.

QSL’s initiative is backed by Mohamed al-Shamlan, the official licensee of the Marzooq Al Shamlan Jumicar Road Safety Park. The Marzooq Al Shamlan Jumicar Road Safety Park, spread over a 700sq m plot, uses real vehicles though with specifications geared specifically towards 5-12 year-olds.

QSL Audience Marketing director Tilman Engel said: “The 25th GCC Traffic Week is the perfect platform to launch our public service initiatives.”

The park is open until March 19 from 10am-1pm and 4pm-10pm daily.

Barwa Real Estate which is sponsoring the 25th edition of the annual feature showcased some of its prestigious projects on the opening day on Saturday.

Barwa Business Development president Khaled al-Dolaimi said: “We seek to share responsibility of protecting and offering moral and financial support to the ministerial, governmental and civil efforts, especially the activities of the Administration of Civil Defence and the Traffic and Patrol Department.”