The General Directorate of Traffic held a workshop as part of the beginning of winter camping in November. The program held at the headquarters of Traffic department was attended by Lt. Col. Muhammad Radhi al Hajiri, Director of Traffic Awareness and Media department, Lt. Col. Hamad Muhammad Al Muhannadi from Communiy Policing Department, Saad al Kaabi from Ministry of Municipality and Environment, Omar al Evadhi from General Organization for Standards and Metrology, Ft. Lt. Abdul Wahid al Anzi of Traffic department, Lt. Ali Hamad Al Nabit from North Security, Lt. Jabir Ali Al Hajiri, from Dukhan Security.
Omar al Awadi from Qatar General Organization for Standards and Metrology (QS) said all vehicles including trailers and caravans used in camping must meet the mandatory requirements of weights and dimensions. Besides, there are about 10 non-mandatory specifications for trailers.
Awadi said the length, width and height of the vehicle should be uniform across the country but in case of different specifications, the owners must obtain the approval of the competent department at the General Directorate of Traffic.
As per the specifications, which are in conformity with international standards, the width, height and length of a trailer should not exceed 2.60 metres, 4 metres and 8 metres respectively.
The most important criterion for the safety of trailers and caravans is the balance while driving and therefore, load should be distributed evenly and not focused in one side of the vehicle to avoid accidents, he added.
 The participants of a workshop organised by General Directorate of Traffic observed that major violations committed in the winter season by campers included driving cars without license and driving of motorcycles without safety measures especially by children. They noted that these were main cause behind accidents.

“Also there are many people who drive caravans without back lights and in this case the authority concerned books the caravan and takes legal action against the violator,” said Lieutenant Jaber Ali Al Hajri from Al Dukhan Security while addressing the workshop.
Saad Al Kaabi from the Ministry of Municipality and Environment said that the most violations committed in winter camping season were digging the earth. “Another violation usually committed is throwing litter and leaving wastes,” he said, adding that another commonly found violation was driving by underage campers in desert’s banned areas during rainy days.
Al Kaabi said the ministry was cooperating with the authorities concerned especially the Ministry of Interior on safety conditions and was in complete coordination with traffic department to raise awareness among youth.  Lieutenant Abdul Wahid Al Anzi, from the Traffic Awareness section said that the section had set focus on conducting awareness campaign in camping season.
“We will guide people about weather condition, safe driving etc. and our main focus will be youth,” he said, adding that the section will also distribute some awareness leaflets among motorists and campers.
Lieutenant Hamad Ali Al-Nabet said that most accidents occurring during winter camping season were reported on internal streets. He also added they had established checkpoints in places like Al Mazroua because it witnessed more accidents.