Pedestrian Rules and Jaywalking in Qatar: What the Traffic Law Says

Pedestrians are often left out of traffic guides, but the law covers them too, and new residents and visitors in Doha, Lusail and the Pearl cross roads every day. This guide is based on the English text of the Traffic Law (Decree-Law No. 19 of 2007, amended by Law No. 5 of 2010) on Al Meezan, which we read in October 2026. The ranges are what a court can impose. We could not read the table of roadside fines, so we do not know what a pedestrian ticket usually costs, or how often one is issued. It is general information, not legal advice.

Who counts as a pedestrian

Article 1 defines pedestrians as people who walk on foot, including those who push wheelchairs used to carry elderly people, children, the sick or others in a similar situation. A parent pushing a pram or a carer with a wheelchair should follow the same rules.

Where to walk (Article 60)

• Pedestrians may not walk in the middle of the carriageway, or in places set aside for cyclists where there are pavements.
• Where there is no pavement, pedestrians must walk on the far right-hand side of the carriageway, facing the direction opposite to the traffic.
• They may instead walk on the far right in the same direction as traffic after making sure they are careful about vehicles coming from behind.
• Outside cities, pedestrians walk on the far side of the carriageway opposite to their own direction of movement, and in single file whenever possible. The English wording here is awkward, so the safest reading is to keep to the edge, face oncoming traffic and walk one behind another.
• Authorized processions are exempt from the facing-traffic rule, and anyone pushing other things should keep to the far right in the direction of traffic.

How to cross (Articles 61 and 62)

Article 61 says anyone crossing the carriageway must do so with caution. They must first make sure the chosen place does not expose them to danger or obstruct traffic, and use the nearest pedestrian crossing route if there is one. If there is none, they use the shortest route, taking into account the distance to approaching vehicles and their speed.

Article 62 says that when crossing on a designated path, pedestrians must follow the pedestrian traffic lights if there are any, and must not cross while traffic police are directing vehicles to pass. They may not push through ranks of military or organised groups under a responsible person, or other authorized processions. In all cases they must observe traffic signals and rules.

What drivers must do

Article 1 defines a pedestrian crossing as a place set aside and marked for pedestrians that requires drivers to stop so pedestrians can pass safely when they are permitted to cross. Article 53 requires drivers to reduce speed when approaching pedestrian crossings and residential areas, and to adjust speed to road, vehicle and weather conditions. Article 78 bans parking on pedestrian crossings and pavements, and within fifteen metres of a crossing. See parking rules in Qatar. Drivers who cause injury can also face the measures in our guide to accident duties.

The penalty ranges

• **Article 96:** offences under Article 60 (first paragraph) and Article 61 carry up to three months in prison and a fine of QR 500 to QR 2,000, as the English text reads.
• **Article 95:** Article 62 is listed with one week to one year in prison or a fine of QR 3,000 to QR 10,000.
• **Article 98:** at least double the penalty for a repeat of a similar offence within a year of completing the sentence.

These are court ranges. Most minor offences are settled by paying a table amount under Article 105, which we could not read. If you receive a fine you think is wrong, see how to dispute a traffic fine, and pay on time: see unpaid traffic fines in Qatar.

Practical advice

These points are our suggestions, built on the articles above.

1. Use pavements and marked crossings. Do not cross a busy road mid-block.

2. Wait for the pedestrian light and do not cross while a traffic officer is waving cars through.

3. Where there is no pavement, face the traffic and keep to the edge.

4. Keep children by the hand and do not let them run onto the road.

5. At night, wear light clothing or carry a phone light on roads without lighting.

6. Summer heat can tempt people to cut across roads. Plan routes along shaded pavements instead. See the Doha Metro guide for car-free trips.

What we could not verify

• The roadside fine for jaywalking, since the compounding table was not available, and whether jaywalking fines are enforced in practice.
• The Executive Regulation, which may add pedestrian rules such as footbridges and underpasses.
• The exact meaning of the English wording of the outside-city rule in Article 60.
• Any amendment to these articles after the 2010 version.