Qatar's Ministry of Interior has intensified its campaign against people using mobile phones while driving.
Traffic patrols have been instructed impose a fine of QR500 on those found using their mobile phones while driving.
The Interior Ministry tweeted that "motorists using mobile while driving will be booked on the spot by traffic patrols and security cops".
As per law, using a mobile phone while driving is a violation of Qatar’s traffic rules, irrespective of whether the driver is using the handset for talking or not.
Use of mobile phones whether for talking, texting or any other purpose that could divert the attention of motorists and negatively affect their performance on the road, is considered an offence.
According to data provided by the Traffic Department, use of mobile phones while driving is the cause of more than 80 per cent of accidents in Qatar and about 94 per cent of the people surveyed online by the ministry believe that
using mobile phones while driving is risky and the cause of major road accidents.