Install speed limit devices
On weekdays, I travel to and fro, between Jebel Ali and Abu Dhabi (‘Dubai bus crash horror: ‘Everything was soaked in blood’,’ Gulf News, May 11). It is scary how some bus drivers drive and overtake other vehicles on the highway. I once saw a driver driving a big bus comprising labourers, with one of his legs up, next to the steering wheel. I was shocked at his reckless behaviour, considering the number of people he was responsible for. He seemed relaxed while driving, but he was hardly driving safely. He was overtaking trailers and trucks and driving in a rash manner, between the two lanes. Beyond this, I always notice that minibus drivers enjoy speeding - sometimes even higher than 140kmph - while chasing private vehicles. Respective authorities have to take serious action against these reckless drivers and curb their reckless attitude. All commercial vehicles, like buses, trucks and trailers, must be installed with speed limit devices. They should not be able to go over the speed of 100kmph.
From Mr Sadaqath
Dubai
Checklist for buses
This is nothing new. It has happened for years in the UAE and many expatriate labourers have lost their lives. The authorities have rules for labour accommodations, working hours, Ramadan working hours, minimum wages and other basic requirement, but there are hardly any companies that actually look after their men. What the authorities need to do is to make sure that buses for labourers are in good condition, make sure the bus drivers have a licence to drive a bus and not just any light vehicle and also ensure that bus drivers get their daily sleep and are not overworked.
From Ms Catherine
Lagos, Nigeria
Website comment
A lesson for all rash drivers
I have no words left after hearing about this sad news. I think the company must be forced to take complete responsibility of the families of those who lost their lives. The company needs to support them financially. Also, the authorities must take stringent action against the driver - an action that serves as a warning to all other rash drivers on the road. The authorities have done more than enough to curb the problem of reckless driving. If people are not learning a lesson the right way, maybe they need to be taught a lesson the harsh way. The driver should be punished in a way that no driver would dare to drive rashly again.
From Mr Veeramani
Dubai
Website comment
Overworked drivers
It was very painful hearing about the accident and then reading the story where victims shared their experience. I had tears in my eyes. May God be with the families of those who lost their lives. I think companies should not make drivers work without rest. Sometimes drivers are overworked and do not get sufficient sleep. This is one of the main reasons behind such tragic road accidents. Innocent people are suffering. Companies and authorities need to pull up their socks immediately.
From Mr Hamid
Dubai
Website comment
No value for life
Be it a life of a rich man or the life of someone poor, a life is a life, and it is precious. There should be strict action taken against the negligent driver and his lack of responsibility. The police and the RTA have done their best trying to control the speed limit on roads by installing radars and regular patrolling. However, accidents keep increasing. The problem is that nobody follows the rules. I once read a warning by the RTA saying that if you are tired and cannot drive, you can park the car safely beyond the yellow line and can rest for a while. It’s not the lack of rules that causes such accidents; it is the lack of discipline by people. The situation won’t change till every individual realises the importance of road rules and starts following them. I was really sad to hear about this accident. People need to realise that if they continue driving rashly, tomorrow they themselves might be victims. Please value your life and the lives of others.
From Ms Almas
Dubai
Website comment
This wasn’t their destiny
This is very sad. Innocent people lost their lives because of someone else’s fault. I don’t think this is how these innocent people were destined to lose their lives. However, the company has to take responsibility of the victims’ families and ensure that they are living a normal life, as they have lost their breadwinners. May God give patience to their family members.
From Mr M. Ilyas Pasha
Abu Dhabi
Website comment
Risking innocent lives
My first question is why does the labour company have to put up the camp in Umm Al Quwain when the labourers are working in Jebel Ali Free Zone? It is about a 100km drive, one way. To save some money, employers put innocent lives at risk by making them travel across the country everyday.
From Ms Siegrid
Dubai
Website comment
Deadly junction
Dreadful accident! Such passenger vehicles must have speed control devices installed in the vehicle, so the drivers cannot speed even if they want to. Accidents usually happen near road diversions, just like it happened in this case. I request all drivers to be careful between 6pm to 7.30pm at the International City exit. Every evening, that junction is where cars have a racing session between heavy vehicles. Trailers and big buses change lanes frequently. Be careful!
From Mr Venkat S.
Dubai
Website comment
Don’t drive in the fast lane
I think the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) need to come up with new rules for bus drivers that transport labourers. These buses should not be allowed in the fast lane. They should adhere to a different speed limit and not the speed limit for regular private vehicles. They must be considered as heavy vehicles or passenger vehicles and should have different rules. It is scary, how often such accidents have occurred in the UAE.
From Mr Rizwan Bashir Mohammad
Dubai
Another tragic loss
This is again a tragic loss of innocent and hardworking people. Often, I have noticed reckless driving by commercial vehicle drivers. These motorists do not realise that they are not only putting their lives at risk, but also the lives of workers who travel for kilometres and leave their families behind to come work in the UAE and be able to send money back home. This is a very sad accident.
From Mr Rihana
Dubai
Website comment
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