Letters: April 24, 2012

Increase access points for pedestrians
I live in International City and it is common to see drivers speeding in the narrow lanes where residents are supposed to be walking and strolling around (‘Most pedestrian accidents caused by jaywalking’, Gulf News, April 18). These drivers don’t reduce their speed even when they see people waiting to cross the road. In many places, there are schools and mosques, but no places to cross. It’s a task to walk up to the traffic signal when it’s hot and humid. What does the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) do about such cases? I wouldn’t say that jaywalking is the solution but please increase the number of access points for pedestrians. Most of the areas also lack a walking space. There are so many bus stops without shelters; so people stand across the road for shade and come back when the bus arrives. I have been living here for two years and nothing has been done. I hope the RTA reads this, as I am sure the number of mishaps and incidents will drop if some of these issues are addressed.
From Ms Mariam
Dubai
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Lame excuse
Pedestrians must first think about their life. Putting their life at risk just to look for shortcuts is not an excuse. Highways are not a place for pedestrians to cross the road. It is prohibited in every country.
From Mr John Fernandez
Sharjah

What’s the reason?
I actually think this was the correct thing to do (‘Kindergartner gets handcuffs for tantrum’, Gulf News, April 18). In the US, it is illegal for schools to deliver any type of physical punishment on a child. Instead of blaming the school for simply trying to stop the child, the family should figure out why she was going out of control.
From Mr S.
Ras Al Khaimah
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Go easy
I understand that the police may have rigid policies but for a six-year-old girl, they could have shown some sympathy. After all, what big harm can an unarmed child do in public? However, the US should be watchful on where their youth is heading.
From Mr David Thomas
Dubai
Website comment

Wrong action
Regardless of how large a tantrum the child might have had, it does not give the police the right to handcuff her. The first question should be why the school administration didn’t contact the child’s parents or guardian first. Since the child was upset, the situation should have been handled by a professional. Thus comes the next question: Why was the child throwing a tantrum? As I mentioned before, whatever the reason was, the girl should not have been handcuffed; if it was my child, I would have sued the school or pressed charges.
From A Reader
Ajman
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Beaten by everyone
I don’t agree with Arjuna Ranatunga’s comment about Indian cricket producing butchers (‘IPL will produce butchers: Ranatunga’, Gulf News, April 19). Please don’t forget that Sri Lanka was beaten by India in the finals of the World Cup. We all saw their performances after the Cup. They were also beaten by Bangladesh.
From Mr Rajeev
Dubai
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Destroying the game
With respect to Ranatunga, I agree with what he says. IPL is really destroying cricket. I believe that Indian business tycoons and those who are greedy for money are behind this issue. I feel very sorry to see these people destroying the actual game.
From Mr Salah Al Deen Khan
Dubai
Website comment

Antisocial behaviour
It is so sad to see this kind of behaviour in the UAE (‘Throwing rubbish into street is disgusting’, Gulf News, April 19). These people deserve to live in the jungle where there are no rules and regulations to control them. I can’t believe this action is done by a human. These people should be fined and deported once caught.
From Ms Bahija Ziati
Abu Dhabi

Rubbish everywhere
Wait till you see the residential areas in Al Nahda, Sharjah. In my area, you have lazy and irresponsible tenants throwing rubbish from their windows and balconies onto the cars below. My windscreen is cracked now and I can’t get it fixed by the insurance agency because it’s on third party insurance. Did I mention the diapers and wrappers on the streets below?
From Mr Osama Rashid
Sharjah

No regard for others
This is an antisocial practice that needs to be abolished. I see many motorists who carelessly throw cigarette butts, ash and tissue paper on the street. Despite efforts by municipal authorities and traffic departments, reckless drivers routinely put their hands outside their vehicle window to throw ash and cigarette butts and expired parking tickets and other items. Please organise a nationwide awareness campaign with the police and municipal authorities to eradicate such uncivilised behaviour.
From A Reader
Abu Dhabi

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