Safe Driving

I had completed some 10 years in Doha and was driving the company provided Vehicle all these years. It was a Trailblazer from Chevrolet. But then being in the Motorcycle rider’s community I thought I will go for something sporty, but then with my limited budget I opted to have a family car that is sporty too. Thus I purchased my family cum sports car the Dodge Durango.
But then things started moving in a different direction. On the day of the second service of the new car, I met with a severe accident. Luckily no one was injured and the vehicle was repaired by the dealer. The repair costs were almost 75% of the vehicle’s initial cost. It took more than 4 months for the dealer to handover the car after the repairs. I was using my spare car an old BMW coupe during this tenure.
The spare car was disposed once I was behind the wheel of the Dodge and my journey continued.
During the last two years I earned quite a lot of speeding tickets and black points on my license and a few minor accidents. Again exactly a year ago I met with another complex accident and this time the damage was again almost 75% of the car value and again it went to the dealer for repairs and came back to me after two months.
My driving continued as before as none of the accidents were due to my mistake and hence I was more confident of my driving.
The more the one becomes confident the more he is complacent.
I work in Raslaffan and stay in Doha, so on an average I do clock 250 kms.
On 16th Monday, the morning after the FIFA world cup finals, as usual I was on my way to work. I left home 30 minutes earlier than my regular time and was leisurely on my way to work.
As I had a 4 black points on my driving license, I was a bit conscious and hence had set the vehicle in cruise mode and was cruising to work on the Expressway to Shamal. While I was nearing Exit 29, I noticed two pedestrians standing by the edge of the road, waiting to cross the five lane expressway.
They were standing still but all of a sudden one of the guys took the hand of the other guy and started running to cross the road pulling the other guy along with him . They were so close, I and the other motorists in the lanes parallel to me slowed down and let them pass. The pedestrian who initiated the crossing safely reached the other side of the road, but the second guy stopped midway and tried to run back, then at this time I immediately changed lanes and he was almost hit by the car behind me. The guy totally confused now to avoid the other car jumped into my lane and then I braked hard, but did hit him.
As I had slowed down considerably the hit was not that severe, but we could see bleeding from his head and legs. I called the emergency contacts and as per the advice of the emergency team, stayed with the injured person and ensured that he stays conscious till the medics arrive.
The emergency team initially shifted him to an ambulance, but then they decided to airlift him. The police blocked the entire highway to make room for the Helicopter to land and he was airlifted to Hamad Hospital in Doha. I then along with the other pedestrian reported to the nearest police station as per the instructions of the police and we were being questioned and our statements were taken by the police. In the meantime the Hospital reported that the condition of the injured is a bit critical and has to be kept in observation for the next 36 hours.
As this was the situation, the police filed a case against me and transferred me to a prison. Now I started losing my hope and could see things getting worse. My company had sent me a PRO to deal with the police and he assured me that nothing to worry and this is the routine procedure here and we would get you out in a few hours. My company General Manager too called me and assured me that he will try his best. Thus I finally entered the forbidden place and lost communication with the outside world.
I had seen a prison only in movies and this was the first time I was experiencing it. There were more than 200 inmates there. Each having his own story and most of them claimed to be innocent or being trapped. Three of these were there for charges of murder. The atmosphere was very friendly there and everyone trying to help each other. But then I had not come here to stay the rest of my life. My only prayers were for the guy in the hospital, as my release from the prison depended on his recovery.
Finally I spent the night there in the prison and was waiting for the officials to take me to the Public Prosecutor. I was told that they will pick me up at 8:00 AM and I was ready by 3:00 AM waiting for them.
Finally they came by nine and returned my personal belongings to me and took me to the Public prosecutor’s office in Doha. The moment I got back my mobile phone I switched it on and noticed 45 missed calls from home. My family had left for summer vacation a week ago and was with my mother. I thought of calling them, but then decided to call them once everything is settled and clear. However I saw an incoming call from my mother again as we were being escorted by the Police to the Public Prosecutor’s office. The police granted me permission to talk and I told my mother that I am in the middle of an emergency plant shutdown and hence will not be able to talk. Such emergency plant shutdowns are frequent in my work and some such shutdowns do keep me away from home for two days, and hence they were rest assured and I hung the phone. I was given bail by the Public prosecutor after 28 hours. I called my friends and company officials and thanked them for the support. My GM advised me to take rest for the day, but then I went home, showered and returned back to office and started working.
On the same evening, our club meeting was there and we were installing the new Executive Committed for this year. I joined the meeting and was installed as the President of the club for this year ahead and delivered my first Presidential address. Having said all this I had well demonstrated to myself and my well-wishers that this incident and a day in the prison did not depress me. I put up a very strong face and mind and was trying to overcome the incident.
But then when I retired to bed that night at home, the scenes started flashing back in my mind. I just started looking back into my driving attitude and all those accidents and the traffic violations committed by me. On the outset I can claim that the accidents were not caused my me, but then I was involved in these accidents and had if I exercised some restrain ts or some changes in my driving behavior all these would never have happened. When I looked back, yes I was part of many major and minor accidents and all ended up in damages to the vehicles involved and no one was injured. But now the severity of the accident has increased and now the hit was on a pedestrian. I cannot imagine and accept the blood of any living being, particularly a human being in my hands and this shattered me.
It was a sleepless night and the second day without any proper sleep. I was waiting for the sun to rise, and at 6:00 in the morning I called up my boss and requested him to spare me a driver from the company for a few weeks. I thought let me take a break from driving for a few weeks and then watch and analyze the other motorists. A speeding vehicle is much more than a fully loaded automatic rifle and if let loose will create havoc.
I thought of teaching myself the best defensive driving techniques and now stand here taking a vow to practice, implement and preach safe driving techniques.