Opinion | Letters
January 17. 2008
Letters To The Editor - January 17. 2008
- Gulf News
- Published: 01:06 January 17, 2008
More instant action needed
Arif Mehmood's research concurs with what many of us see on the roads, with one exception ("Controlling speeding in the UAE", Be Heard, Gulf News, January 11) - police presence does not actually deter drivers.
In fact, the police should be given more power to fine offenders instantly, and instead of driving in patrol cars, they should work on motorbikes.
This would immediately double their presence on the roads, especially on congested ones.
Cameras may exist to catch speeding vehicles, but not all of them are activated.
Also they cannot survey all areas. The presence of police will have both an immediate and long-term effect, especially if backed by an immediate fining process and the confiscation of licences.
From Mr Greg Hodge
Dubai
Unacceptable
I am in complete shock and disgust after reading the article about the bug at Al Wasl Hospital ("Fatal hospital bug kills two newborn babies", Gulf News, January 10).
A mother is always worried about her child in the healthiest of circumstances, and for a doctor to tell a new mother that her child is going to die because she is irritating them is completely unacceptable and unprofessional.
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) should realise that it is time to invest in a world-class research centre for infectious diseases.
The city is growing and they must become pro-active.
From Ms Viviane Zabbal
Dubai
Bigger picture
Infection is a part of hospital life, but the doctors and other staff members should be aware of the risks of infection to their patients, and be practical in their attempts to prevent any outbreaks.
However, even the most gifted and dedicated doctors can only control an unsafe situation to some extent.
If the hospitals are not given proper staff, space and equipment, they cannot be held solely responsible for the tragedies that surely follow.
The actions of the staff should be investigated but so should the conditions under which they have been asked to work.
From Ms Umm Abdullah
UAE
Exclusive walk
I am a regular cyclist on the spectacularly laid path at Abu Dhabi corniche. It was a delight for all us cycle lovers to see such a thing made.
But of late, I've noticed that certain walkers take the liberty of walking on the same pathway.
It is very irritating and the fact that they have an exclusive path all to themselves.
With due regards to all, I would like the authorities to do something to prevent such people from using the pathway.
From Ms Priti Rajagopalan
Abu Dhabi
Turn the clock back
Authorities are considering changing the school timings during the winter ("Ministry studies proposal to change school timing", Gulf News, January 9).
I hope they will also consider turning the clock back by one hour as a solution to this problem.
Many European countries and even Arab countries such as Libya have used this method.
It will be less stressful; not only for school children, but also for the general public, if the clock is turned back during the winter.
Psychologically, school-going children will not feel that they are returning late from school.
From Mr R. N.
Abu Dhabi
Full name withheld by request
Health comes first
A change in school timings during the winter is necessary. I have been watching young children who wait for school buses every morning in the cold.
It is a pathetic and inhuman sight - small, nursery-going children shivering and crying in this freezing weather.
The solution for this problem is to change the school timings of kindergarten students and to let them start school after 11am.
I hope the concerned authorities realise the harmful effect of the weather on children's health in these situations.
From Mr Arafat
Dubai
Full name withheld by request
Postal problems
Mail by post is very common in Dubai and expatriates send and receive several dispatches over the week.
However, there are only about six post offices in the city and thousands of mails and messages come through them, causing unnecessary hassles and traffic.
Earlier, one or two large postal vehicles would drive around the city, delivering mail to each office building or residence block.
These vehicles would distribute hundreds of letters. Now, the situation is just the opposite: it seems dozens of postal vehicles are on the streets, adding to the choked traffic.
From Mr Cengiz Sani
Dubai
Explain the fines
Why is the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) fining taxi drivers, but not telling them the reason they are being fined?
How are the drivers supposed to improve their behaviour or driving style, if their offences are not explained to them?
Several drivers I have spoken to recently complained they had been fined Dh500 as a "quality control fine", but were not told what they had done wrong.
Fine bad driving by all means, but at least tell the poor driver why he is being punished.
From Mr Christopher Saul
Dubai
Take a Salik tour
The authorities believe that the Salik system is working. I suggest those who agree to go on a tour of the Salik routes and see for themselves how wrong they are.
The roads are clear one kilometre before and after each tollgate - probably because people prefer going through the side roads and rejoining further ahead.
The area between the gates remains as bad as ever, with additional traffic on the side roads.
Is there a plan we don't know of yet, that will relieve us from this chaos? I hope the upcoming Dubai Metro will help commuters.
From Mr Bob Nicholson
Hopeful
The used car business should move out of the residential area in Abu Shagara, Sharjah. The used car dealers force residents to park illegally and occupy every available parking space.
This problem has been continuously highlighted for years but nothing has been done to relocate them. The harassed residents can only be hopeful.
From Ms Preeti Menon
Dubai
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