A fatal combination
The number one cause of such accidents is speeding (‘What drives heavy vehicle accidents in UAE?’ Gulf News, May 17). The problem is not the speed itself, it’s the distance you require to brake successfully at that speed. This is what needs to be taught. Slower speed and a shorter stopping distance means the possibility of lives saved is greater. Speeding and tailgating would lead to mortalities in an accident. Perhaps not for you, but for the other person who might have had to brake suddenly in front of you. It’s better to be late than to not arrive at all.
From Mr Simon Phoenix
Dubai
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Roller coaster roads
What is totally unjustifiable is the reckless driving of taxi drivers, especially in Sharjah! I used taxis in the city quite a few times in the past week and noticed that none of the drivers cared about the traffic rules or road safety. They were speeding and I felt as though I were in a roller coaster ride! I asked the driver why he was not indicating while changing lanes and he seemed to ignore my comments. Never before have I felt so unsafe in a car. It cannot be tolerated when it happens in public taxis.
From Ms Ghenza Samad
Sharjah
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Slipping through
I have often experienced heavy vehicles like buses overtaking me on Shaikh Zayed Road while I am driving at 100km/hr. The maximum permitted speed for heavy vehicles is 80km/hr, but they misuse the fact that regardless of the size of the vehicle, the speed radar can catch a vehicle only if it exceeds 120km/hr on roads with limits of 100km/hr. So in effect, a heavy vehicle can go up to 120km/hr without getting caught on a radar or they get an allowance of almost 40km/hr. I have seen many heavy vehicle drivers with their hands off the steering wheel, talking on mobile phones or reading.
From Mr Jayadeep Divakaran
Dubai
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Paying the price
I own a passenger transport company and my staff are carefully selected, very well trained and the vehicles are looked after meticulously. I worry that because of the actions of a few, restrictions and rules will be imposed which will have a negative impact on the transport companies who are doing everything well. Already, minibuses are restricted to a maximum speed of 100km/hr by law. For long distances, this is impractical for my company, but we have very safe drivers. However, other companies, which often appear to have reckless drivers, still appear to speed at 100km/hr through the denser areas and residential zones. It should be done on a case by case basis, so I hope authorities don’t look for a ‘quick fix’ solution.
From Mr Chris
Dubai
Full name withheld by request
Careless
Poor maintenance of vehicles and careless driving are the leading causes of heavy vehicle accidents. Drivers of both heavy vehicles and small cars are often seen racing each other, changing from one lane to another without moving safely and not keeping enough distance. I don’t know how or why they do this.
From Mr Kazim
Dubai
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Move or be squashed
Every day, when I commute to my office, I have to take a u-turn from Emirates Road, and every single time (no exceptions) I see truck drivers change lanes just by giving a quick indication and turning. It’s almost as if the driver is saying he is driving a big truck, move or be ready to be squashed. Nobody is there to stop them. Maybe when they see police patrols, they behave, but otherwise they continue this behaviour. If they keep driving like this, accidents will keep on happening.
From Mr Zeeshan Baloch
Dubai
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Too much speed
The main cause is definitely speeding. I have always observed heavy buses and trucks, trailers and even oil tankers doing a speed of more than 120km/hr on Emirates Road. They often flash their high beams and bully smaller vehicles in front of them, most of whom are driving at a safer speed of 110km/hr. Amazing!
From Mr Rizwan Kazi
Dubai
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Overworked
I strongly believe that drivers are overworked. Taxi drivers are often working 18 hours straight and truck drivers are doing long shifts without rest. This issue should be looked into, because lack of attention behind the wheel is a major cause of these horrific accidents. Companies should be fined for overworking employees and authorities should create weigh-in stations where they can make sure that trucks aren’t overloaded.
From Ms Adel
Dubai
Name withheld by request
Companies to blame
Driving has become scary here. Tailgating, changing lanes suddenly and using mobile phones is so common and most of the time, it results in accidents. As long as truck and van drivers are concerned, it is their duty to check their vehicles, but I would rather put the blame on companies who make them work for much longer hours. Authorities must be more strict with them.
From Mr Salah
Sharjah
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In a rush
I was surprised to see the other day, a public bus driving recklessly in Sharjah. The driver was in such a hurry that he was taking a left without noticing the cars approaching from that lane. Often, I have called the authorities to complain about these trucks, buses and mini vans.
From Ms Ash
Sharjah
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Learning the hard way
This is the need of the hour (‘Jail for drivers in UAE overtaking through hard shoulder’, Gulf News, May 17). The authorities should get tough with violators who have no respect for traffic laws or the lives of others on the road. Motorists overtaking from the hard shoulder have become a common sight these days. It is annoying to have speeding cars cutting in front of you from across the yellow line. There is absolutely no discipline left, and some people obviously need to learn the hard way. No offender should be allowed to get away with such irresponsible driving behaviour. I am strongly in support of this law.
From Ms Fatima Suhail
UAE
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Fed up
Only Dh600 fines? Drivers who use the hard shoulder, tailgaters and mobile phone users are just as bad as those who jump the signal when it’s red — they should be punished as such. So many times, people have had a near miss from those speeding on the hard shoulder or those on mobile phones. I’m really fed up of them.
From Mr Ashiq Ariejeel
Sharjah
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Not good enough
Those who drive on the hard shoulder come across as rude, arrogant and selfish people. I would urge doubling the fine and confiscating their cars. Should we remind them that hard shoulders are for emergency vehicles like police cars, ambulances and firefighters? Or, do they know that but think they are better than others on the road just because there is traffic? Well, we all hate traffic but that excuse is not good enough.
From Mr Kenan Fakher Al Deen
Dubai
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Abusing policies
The paediatrician’s experience, where his insurance didn’t cover the full cost of his bypass surgery, is a clear cut case of abusing insurance policies (‘Patients in UAE ‘need to be aware of terms of insurance policies’’, Gulf News, May 17). I know how it works in some hospitals. All the bills would be charged depending upon your boarding selection and not on the surgery, so be careful. Those who have insurance cards should keep track of their visits to clinics and hospitals to ensure that their card is not being misused. Patients would point fingers to insurance companies for not paying the bills or not providing the approvals, but they would never question the treatment of doctors. Why are they writing only branded medication prescriptions? Why not generic? Here, patients should be more aware and careful about what they are being charged and should get the copy of invoices.
From Mr Zubair
Dubai
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Frustrated
I would like to share my experience, since I have had an insurance plan for the past two years. I regret to say that it is unnecessarily taking many weeks to get an approval for even minor tests. I was suffering from severe backache and had to undergo medical treatment and x-rays. This was followed by a scan, physiotherapy and finally, I ended up with no results — just because of insurance. Some doctors even take advantage of patients by prescribing lots of medication from different companies, but patients end up without proper treatment, despite taking lots of prescribed medicines. I would appreciate if the insurance companies have direct control and closely monitor these issues, instead of compromising, so that we can expect better service from them.
From Mr J. Thomas
Dubai
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Still waiting
The UAE authorities announced that there must be medical insurance for all employees, but we have been waiting for medical insurance for a year. If we ask our company about it, they say they will give it in 2015 — maybe. I often fall ill and end up spending all my savings on my health.
From Mr Qaiser
Dubai
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