A show of forgiveness
I nearly got a ticket the other day when I was driving to a new place in Abu Dhabi (‘Dubai police issue 1,279 fines on first day of new traffic law’, Gulf News, July 3). I live in Musaffah, so I only visit the city of Abu Dhabi once in a while. They had put in a new ‘no entry’ sign that I didn’t notice. As I navigated with the help of a navigation app, I didn’t notice the new board. I had a police on my tail, and I was sure I couldn’t convince him. He took my phone, which was clipped on the dashboard, saw my start point from Musaffah then checked the car and saw my three children in their car seats and seatbelts. After a few minutes he came with the fine book and showed my offence was Dh600 with four black points and a seven-day car confiscation. He then forgave me as it was clear I had no clue where I was going.
From Ms Lamees Abu Backer
UAE
Facebook comment
Follow the rules
I’m not sure how anyone can say that these fines are about money when the authorities can only fine the people who are not able to follow basic instructions.
From Mr Abdin Ahmad
UAE
Facebook comment
Be more prudent
Don’t break the law and you won’t pay the fines. If the statistics are there for reckless driving and accidents happening due to these issues, then perhaps now residents will be more prudent.
From Ms Nina Ngwa
UAE
Facebook comment
Smooth sailing
It was really a wonderful experience on the road this week. Everyone was driving as if they are giving a driving test – it was smooth sailing traffic. Thanks to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) for demanding discipline on the road.
From Ms Pearl Naren Rathi
UAE
Facebook comment
A bad attitude
I am only surprised that people are only starting to get baby seats after the law came into force. Before they never cared about their children? How sad it is when one of my neighbours had an accident during Ramadan and her child was hurt badly. When we asked her why her child was not in a proper seat, she said she didn’t buy one because the law was never enforced, and she thought it was unnecessary then. How sad that this is people’s attitude towards their own safety and then they complain that the authorities are enforcing strict laws.
People think it is not their job to follow the rules automatically. The way people drive and change lanes without taking care and giving proper indications are shocking. Even on the first day of new law, I saw a car cross in front of me unexpectedly, putting everyone’s lives in danger.
From Mr Ahmad Junaid
UAE
Facebook comment
Selfish and dangerous
These rules are common sense, so finally some discipline that might have an effect. I drove twice today on Al Khail Road and twice on Shaikh Zayed Road and I was surprised to see people driving calmer. Maybe a lucky relaxed moment? The police have to make an extra stop lane on Jumeirah Beach Road for those inconsiderate people ordering their drinks from the road. It’s selfish and super dangerous. Many times I have had to make a dangerous manoeuvre because suddenly everyone in front of you just stops in the middle of the road.
From Ms Els Huybrechts
UAE
Facebook comment
Lane changes
Sudden lane changes are a very common bad practice – even at stoplights drivers will suddenly try to change lanes. I hope the authorities can make a study on why some people have these bad driving habits. I believe it’s needed in solving these problems. I welcome these new strict laws.
From Mr Rice Yaric Pascual
UAE
Facebook comment
For our safety
I am also unlucky to get fine at 12.30am on July 1, but I appreciate the Dubai Police for these steps. It is only for our safety and if we are abiding by the traffic laws and maintaining the vehicle, we won’t get any fine. It’s better for our safety.
From Mr Wajid Kamal
UAE
Facebook comment
Drivers pay heed
The new traffic laws implemented in the UAE on July 1 was a laudable move from the concerned authorities to make the roads safer and curb fatalities. Road safety has been a pivotal concern of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and the tougher rules of seatbelts for the rear passengers and child seats with hefty fines for violating these traffic rules will certainly reduce traffic chaos. Increased police patrols, information campaigns and the use of smart devices will make a large impact. Motorists need to adhere to the laws. Defensive driving, respecting fellow road users, giving way, changing lanes after indicating and limiting speeds are some of the rules motorists ought to follow diligently. Cautious driving is beneficial in the long run.
From Ms Jayashree Kulkarni
Abu Dhabi
GST will financially unify India
The introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a historic and revolutionary move by the Indian government. GST is simple and modern transparent taxation system, which will definitely unify all 29 states and seven union territories under one umbrella. We can hope with a technological back up GST will be effectively implemented. GST will eliminate all previous tax patterns and convert it into one that will boost exports. It will attract foreign investors. The credit goes to previous governments who also tried to make this work for the last 14 years. Congratulations to India’s Finance Minister Arun Jaitley who made this happen.
From Mr Eappen Elias
Dubai
A blunder or boon?
Projected as India’s second Independence Day, at the stroke of midnight on July 1, unprepared Indians ushered in the new GST regime. This new system has left a lot confusion and clarification among the small traders. It will take a lot of time to solve all the problems that have been raised from every nook and cranny of the country. GST was preceded by demonetisation, which left many wondering if it was worth the pain. But that did not deter Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s team from taking a crack at the long pending GST with dogged ambition. Time has to prove whether it will be an epic blunder or a boon. Let Indians keep their fingers crossed.
From Mr Sunny Joseph
Mala, India
The got it done
The much awaited GST by the Indian National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, president Pranab Mukherjee and Modi inaugurated the new GST concept. Even though opposition parties have passed the bill, they have boycotted the function. The previous United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government claimed the GST was initiated by their period and the present government is taking the credit by introducing it. However, they have initiated the proposal, but it was not implemented. Now with many modifications, the NDA has introduced it. The GST introduction is a timely one as India is emerging into many reforms with global support. Whichever party introduced it, it is for the development of the country and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth. By passing all the differences of opinion, Modi and his team successfully launched GST. As the government has introduced the tax with a good motive, there may be some obstacles, but in the long run, this GST is going to be welcomed by all. We will have to wait and see the implications of the GST?
From Mr K. Ragavan
Bengaluru, India
What’s the rush?
Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao will retire when the time is absolutely right (‘Analysis: Manny Pacquiao should have retired long ago’, Gulf News, July 3). Why be in a hurry? He knows himself and a lot of people still believe in him. Floyd Mayweather is scared for a rematch and Pacman is still waiting for it before he will retire.
From MS N. Al Shamsi
Abu Dhabi
Facebook comment
Unfair match
First of all, the referee was from Australia, secondly, the judges were from Australia and lastly, the venue was in Australia. What if the match had happened in the UAE or Las Vegas, US? People are complaining – not only the Filipinos, but even the majority of the sports analysts and even the boxers themselves admit that they don’t know how Jeff Horn won the match.
From Mr Boboy Ballesteros Ocile
UAE
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