An Evening With Food Delivery Boy- Qatar

 An Evening With Food Delivery Boy- Qatar

This was the hot and humid summer month of Doha,  August 2022; I was back in Doha after a short trip to my home country. Night 8 O’clock, I was in the Hospital with a high fever and was waiting for the doctor.

An Asian guy with torn clothes and visible scratched bloody skin was sitting with me. He was in pain and waiting for the doctor. His condition was stagnant after having the first aid medication and dressing.

I was trying to chat with him to ease in the pain and get some information on the scenario. 

He said he is a food delivery boy, working in a food delivery chain company. And was met with an accident, today evening. The information has sent to the organization by the Police and the guy with whom he involves during the accident.

The good part of unfortunate accidents in Qatar is people do not fight after having an accident to blame each other in most cases. They remain calm and try to ease each other. The guideline from the ministry for reporting accidents is also very easy, just log in to the application and upload with photo (This is limited to accident with minor cases- minor stand for an accident which do not hurt anyone and has non-serious injuries). In other cases, traffic police visit the site after the phone call immediately and used to call the air ambulance if required overall the coordination and services are excellent.

While sharing the ground experience the guy explained that driving a bike (two-wheeler) is a life-taking job in Qatar. Here the vehicles are moving at a fast speed and there are a lot of cars. Compare to other vehicles the ratio of cars is very high which makes Qatar roads riskier for bikers. We the food delivery boys are having a very tough life and it is not limited to any specific country it is all over the world and specifically in developing countries where there is no dedicated motorbike lane.

The three major issues of our life are:

1)Pressure from Organization- days target

2)Risk of getting into an accident - No alternative, must go on with traffic 

3)Fear of not meeting customer expectations - Which are never met in most cases.

Still, I am happy that at least I have a job and am able to arrange the feed for my dependent. Even though this job I get after having paid a lot of money to the middleman in my country. I must meet the target of repayment of the loan which took to pay the middleman before getting the Qatar visa.  Hence, no other way to escape the risk. This is better to die here than to stay in my home country and do nothing for my family.

There are risks in every job and no job is risk-free, maybe Allah has chosen me for this risk. I am very positive and take it as compliments. I am a part of happiness for many by delivering the food. Many people offer me water and food after getting the service. If we are talking about the person with whom I got into this accident was a nice human, he came down from his car to take me up, accept his mistake, offer me water, called the police and ambulance and gave me his visiting card to call him after I am done with doctors.

Yes, there is another side of the story, what happens to those who got serious accidents? No information available, he said and became silent. 

Next few moments we were silent then my cousin reached to me as the doctor's assistant was calling my name to get into the doctor's visit.

I was admitted to the hospital for four days and my concentration never went off for the line “there are risks in every job and no job is a risk-free job”.

Two-wheeled motor vehicles, such as motorcycles and scooters, are a common mode of transportation for food delivery drivers in Qatar. These vehicles offer several advantages for delivery drivers, including their size, speed, and manoeuvrability, which allow them to navigate through congested roads and traffic quickly and efficiently.

Moreover, with the growing popularity of food delivery services, two-wheeled motor vehicles have become a critical component of the food delivery industry in Qatar, providing a convenient and reliable means of transporting food to customers. This has created job opportunities for many individuals.

Challenges that two-wheeled motor vehicle riders face in Qatar: There are many challenges however, few are listed for quick and easy understanding.

Traffic congestion: Qatar has a rapidly growing population and heavy traffic, which can make it difficult for two-wheeled motor vehicle riders to navigate through the busy streets.

Hot weather conditions: The hot and humid weather in Qatar can be a challenge for two-wheeled motor vehicle riders, who are exposed to the elements while riding.

Lack of dedicated motorcycle lanes: Unlike some other countries, Qatar does not have dedicated motorcycle lanes, which can make it difficult for two-wheeled motor vehicle riders to safely navigate the roads. I believe the pace Qatar govt is getting better in the world, they will have a dedicated motorcycle lane soon.

Road hazards: Road hazards are less in Qatar in terms of other developing countries, However, some common road hazards are potholes, construction, and road debris, that two-wheeled motor vehicle riders must be cautious of while riding. The problem with two-wheeler drive is a small pothole may be a severe hazard for fast-coming bikers and another way it is not a big issue for cars.

Importance of protective gear: The jewellery of two-wheeler drivers and motor vehicle riders must wear protective gear, such as a helmet, gloves, and other protective clothing, to minimize the risk of injury in the event of an accident.

Distracted driving: Getting frequent follow-up calls from customers and supervisors distracting the driver, is also a potential reason for accident increase.

Here are some guidelines for two-wheeled motor vehicle drivers to avoid accidents: These guides and alerts are being sent to the PROs and other guys, and many seminars are being conducted by the traffic department from time to time. This information is being circulated in many languages by the concerned department of the Qatar government such as Nepali, Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, Malayalam, and English.

Follow traffic laws: Always obey traffic signals, speed limits, and other regulations. This helps ensure everyone's safety on the road.

Wear protective gear: Always wear a helmet and other protective clothing when driving a two-wheeled motor vehicle.

Stay visible: Make sure your vehicle is equipped with proper lighting and wear bright or reflective clothing to increase your visibility on the road.

Keep a safe following distance: Leave enough space between you and the vehicle in front of you to allow for sudden stops or turns.

Avoid distractions: Don't use your phone or other devices while driving. Focus on the road and stay alert.

Be aware of your surroundings: Keep an eye out for other vehicles, pedestrians, and road hazards, and adjust your speed and driving accordingly.

Stay within your limits: Don't take risks that exceed your skill level, and don't drive when you're tired or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Regularly maintain your vehicle: Make sure your two-wheeled motor vehicle is in good condition, with working brakes, lights, and other safety features.