Public transport expansion
There are a number of reasons for traffic congestion (‘Traffic congestion comes at a high cost’, Gulf News, February 8). People live too far from their offices and I think that companies should provide accommodations at close proximity to the workplace. The initiative taken by Abu Dhabi is a model one — getting workers to live in the same emirate they work in. This will somehow curb the congestion on the highways and internal roads. In Dubai, I think the Metro should be linked to all other communities to provide people easy access to public transport facilities. If I want to travel from International City to Jumeirah, I need to take a bus to the Metro station, then another bus from the Metro station to Jumeirah. It takes a long time and costs more money than travelling by car. The more accessible the public transport, the less traffic congestion there is!
From Mr Kamran
Dubai
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High rent
An inter-emirate Metro service should be implemented. The people in real estate should be given a cap on their prices because the current scenario is forcing the middle class to move to the outskirts of the cities. Dubai has got a world-class facility of transportation, but such decisions by real estate companies make it hard.
From Mr Shebin
Dubai
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Frequency and affordability
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has done so many things to improve traffic conditions over the past few years. But in order to beat traffic congestion, what is required is to increase and improve the public transport system from the many developments to major city centre destinations, with short route options so that people will give up their cars and take the bus instead. The RTA also needs to run bus services inside these gated communities for a flat fee so people can commute easily within these communities, without using their cars. It has become necessary to have two cars for many families, since we need more options — a more frequent, affordable and viable public transport system.
From Mr Shabir Zain Al Deen
UAE
Expansion will help
I think the RTA is doing its job well and if it immediately takes steps to expand the Metro project, I assume the traffic flow will be reduced in peak times. If the private and government sector’s office timings change, it will also impact traffic congestion.
From Mr Waqar
Dubai
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Inter-city Metro
The UAE has already established itself as an absolute leader in terms of development. By developing inter-city Metro lines and ferry boats, it has the perfect opportunity to curtail traffic and reduce accidents, pollution and traffic while simultaneously increasing the quality of life of residents. Imagine taking a Metro to Dubai from Sharjah! The impact on the highways would be tremendous!
From Mr Talha
Sharjah
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Simple demand
It is very simple — lack of adequate public transport is the only reason for traffic congestion. An inter-city transport system is essential. I think most commuters are using their own transport right now.
From Mr Abdul Sattar
Ajman
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More time on roads
The great transport infrastructure of Dubai won’t help to ease congestion on the roads if the majority of population is renting accommodation and often changing locations every year. When the rental cost is affordable, people tend to find places closer to their workplace. We have experienced driving on empty roads in the past, but now, rental property prices have gone up and everyone is relocating in order to find more affordable living. So today, everyone tends to spend more and more time on the roads.
From Mr Alex
Dubai
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Side road congestion
RTA has indeed paid a lot of attention to new bridges, flyovers and highways. Unfortunately, the internal roads in many residential areas are the real culprits, causing everyday traffic congestion. For instance, there are streets that have blocked all traffic movement from the side roads, which end up leaving many helpless. It is time RTA turned its attention inwards rather than on the outskirts of Dubai. The other aspect they need to recognise, is to permit carpooling freely without having the need to preregister. Today, if you check randomly, 90 per cent of the cars on the roads have a maximum of two passengers at any given time. Nothing will change if this continues.
From Mr R. Vasudevan
Dubai
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Commendable efforts
Though RTA has done a commendable job in constructing road infrastructure across Dubai, efforts should be focused on strengthening public transport between Dubai and Sharjah. Unless commuting time between these two emirates is reduced, not much success can be achieved in reducing overall traffic.
From Mr Mustafa
Dubai
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Dancing with death
Why do people feel the need to tailgate a person who is already driving at the prescribed speed limit (‘Tailgating dangers in UAE: 22 killed’, Gulf News, February 8)? Flashing headlights and sometimes blaring the horn is rude. I see people driving at ridiculous speeds on certain roads and it is scary seeing a car through the rear view mirror hurtling up behind you. You would actually have to dive out of the way, because the car is going so fast, there is no way you would have time to avoid colliding if you stayed put. Now if that isn’t dancing with death, I don’t know what is. It’s just scary.
From Ms Sarah Louise
Sharjah
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Respecting space
Just drive on Shaikh Zayed Road at any time of the day – mornings or evenings – and you will find cars tailgating, regardless of the dangers. If you are one of those who believe in leaving a decent amount of space between your car and the one in front of you, fear not. There are enough dangerous drivers on the road, who will barge into that little gap, not caring that they might injure you or you might hit them, because of their actions.
From Mr Rajesh
Dubai
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Stay away or give way
People who drive slow in the fast lanes pose the real danger and it’s almost as if the car’s mirrors do not exist for them. A car moving rapidly towards them from behind doesn’t mean anything, and as a result, traffic piles up and we all have to drive slowly, like a herd of sheep. How many times have we encountered this? Try and overtake slow-moving cars and suddenly you will realise that the road ahead is completely empty. I am not providing excuses for those who tailgate. I am just saying that when you see someone who is moving faster than you, please give way! If you prefer to drive slowly - stay away from the left lanes.
From Mr Victor
Dubai
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Road bullying
In my daily drive, it is a common occurrence to see people being bullied on the road through tailgating, flashing headlights and honking the horn. Whenever I am on the road, it is my greatest hope that everyone will drive responsibly and without fear of any untoward incidents. This happens almost every day and becomes much more scary when nighttime arrives.
From Mr Archie
Ras Al Khaimah
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Lane discipline
All these reader comments are complaining about tailgating, but it should be said that it often happens in the fast lane where the speeds are reaching 120km/hr. If one driver is travelling at around 80km/h in the leftmost lane when this lane is only meant for faster driving, it can be a serious source of trouble. Yet, in the fast lane, we often encounter slow-moving vehicles and when fast-moving vehicles approach them, they don’t even consider changing lanes, hence the tailgating! It’s a give-and-take situation on the road. Know about the lanes so that you won’t have to face such situations on the roads.
From Mr Haris Khan
Dubai
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Further action
I ask the authorities to have more undercover officers patrolling the roads. Reckless drivers tend to slow down when they see visible police cars. These drivers should be pulled over and asked to watch videos on the spot, of accidents caused by tailgating. Perhaps this can be done by equipping police cars with tablets that contain these videos. Just issuing fines will not deter all drivers.
From Mr Ahmad
Dubai
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More severe punishments
Tailgating is a usual story on the highway, more specifically on Thursdays in the afternoon. These motorists are seldom stopped until an accident happens. Severe punishments like fines and impounding of cars can alleviate this problem to a large extent.
From Mr Khurshid Qazi
Dubai
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