Child safety is a necessary discussion
These incidents of strange men approaching children are happening even when there is strict vigilance and CCTVs on the school premises (‘Dubai schools advises parents, pupils to be wary of strangers’, Gulf News, January 27). It’s very good that the authorities informed parents and class teachers to bring awareness to the children on this incident.
These things need to be discussed every time there is a community meeting. We can’t wait for when something bad happens.
From Mr M. K. Gunaseelan
Abu Dhabi
Shouldn’t be out of school
I don’t understand why the children were out of school to begin with?
From Mr Mohammad Ramzan
UAE
Facebook comment
School’s responsibility
Exactly, Mr Mohammad Ramzan! They should be inside the school gates until they can be collected. The school has a responsibility!
From Ms Johanna Quick
Dubai
Facebook comment
Where are the parents?
Some children are not collected until 5pm from school! It’s not the school’s responsibility after lessons finish at 3.30pm. Parents need to up their mark on this issue, too.
From Ms Sheena Smith
UAE
Facebook comment
A joint safety effort
This is very disturbing to hear that pupils have been approached by strangers offering to drive them home. These children were safe thanks to their presence of mind. However, this is a serious cause for concern for parents, schools and the concerned authorities. I hope these men targeting children are soon traced and brought to justice. Schools should not allow pupils to wander outside the premises even after classes unless their parents come and collect them. Also, security must also be increased at the gates to prevent such men from harassing or approaching pupils.
From Ms Fatima Suhail
Sharjah
Facebook comment
Student should be collected
The children should be collected from the classroom to avoid these situations occurring.
From Ms Donna Smyth
UAE
Facebook comment
Life is too precious
Life is too precious to be wasted for such useless activities (‘Selfies get an extreme makeover’, Gulf News, January 26). There must be something wrong with a person who will risk their life for the sake of attention.
From Mr Saif Rahman
UAE
Facebook comment
Getting access
Why are people given permission and access to dangerous locations to pull off these stunts? It seems quite pointless, not to mention extremely dangerous.
From Ms Deepti Ramachandran
UAE
Facebook comment
Danger to others
Why don’t the police catch these people risking their lives so brazenly? If these people end up killing themselves, who’s to say they won’t kill others as well in their recklessness?
From Mr Mauro Salvatore
UAE
Facebook comment
A great step to improve taxi services
It’s great to hear that the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is striving to constantly improve the taxi service in Dubai (‘Surveillance cameras on trial in taxis’, Gulf News, January 27). It’s of prime importance to train drivers on their behaviour.
We live in a country of nearly 200 nationalities with a rich array of cultural diversity within a few hundred square kilometres, which makes it more of a challenge. Thank you, RTA, for the efforts and I wish them great success.
Rather than allowing taxi drivers to speed or drive recklessly, speak up – your request will be recorded now. This will surely deter drivers from exceeding the speed limits. Thank you, RTA, for the pilot project, it’s a step forward in the right direction!
From Mr David Thomas
UAE
Taxis to Sharjah
This is an excellent initiative from RTA. I have had a couple of bitter experiences with airport taxi drivers when I travelled from Dubai Airport to Sharjah. The moment they hear the name Sharjah, the irritation starts. It’s not something I can help!
From Mr Mohan Menon
Sharjah
Protecting drivers
I think a huge issue that needs to be looked into is the abuse of taxi drivers by other drivers on the road. I have seen drivers many a times abusing taxi drivers through lack of courtesy or getting accused of being at fault in minor accidents when they weren’t the car in the wrong. I think these cameras will protect the drivers in a great way.
From Mr C. Brouck
UAE
Monitoring drivers
It’s a good concept. Recently, I took a taxi and the driver was busy on the phone and he was driving in a reckless manner. It was worrying.
From Mr Sai Gallo
UAE
Facebook comment
Talking on the phone
I wholeheartedly support the move by RTA. This way, a passenger’s and driver’s behaviour can be monitored as well as be used for evidence in any case. However, my question is, when is RTA going to prohibit drivers from using mobile phones while driving? I think this is the biggest danger we passengers face in RTA taxis. Many drivers use their phone while driving, but seldom do we see them using a hands-free device.
Yes, we understand that the drivers need to communicate, but the law has to be followed and alternative safe modes of communications should be followed in these taxis. Perhaps they need to be provided with a headset?
From Mr Shabir Zain Al Deen
UAE
A good service
RTA is really doing a good service for the country in their constant improvements. I wish other countries could learn from them.
From Mr Mahmoud Syed
UAE
Facebook comment
Taxi tempers
Now I think that the face to face customer service between the driver and the client will improve. Sometimes I have had some really shocking taxi drivers. One time, a driver just wanted to leave me in the desert. They just get angry. Thank you very much, RTA! Well done!
From Ms Astra Asanalieva
Dubai
Facebook comment
Taken for a ride
This will really help to catch any driver or passenger who is out of line. Sometimes the driver will just take you on a loop to get the meter reading higher.
From Mr Jobert Gorit
UAE
Facebook comment
We’re all human beings
It’s definitely a tough job being a taxi driver, and I really try to understand when they are acting rude – maybe they’ve just had a bad day or a really mean client. One time I got into a taxi and I was a bit sceptical about him knowing how to get to my destination, so I was offering directions. He was giving me so much attitude that I just asked him if he was okay. He didn’t understand what I meant, so I said to him that he’s being a bit short with me and so I asked if he was okay. He instantly snapped out of the bad mood and apologised for his rudeness, because he understood. He was having a rough day. We had a pleasant conversation after that, and I did have to tell him how to get to Jumeirah Village Circle.
Everybody has something going on, and I think most of the time they don’t mean to be impolite.
From Ms Lili Maria
Dubai
Facebook comment
Protects drivers
This is really a great move, it’s much appreciated! I hope this helps the good drivers that are getting harassed or being attacked by inconsiderate passengers. How about their safety? No one really thinks about them, but these cameras will protect them, too.
From Ms Susheel K. Skaria
UAE
Facebook comment
Superb performances!
Kudos to both India’s women’s and men’s cricket teams for their performance against the current world champion team, Australia. First, our women’s team produced a superb all round performance to chase down a record total to upstage the Aussies. Probably their win inspired the men to follow suit and set a winning total, too. These victories augur well for both teams to put a firm foundation to win the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup T-20 Tournament in India. We wish both teams the best in the remaining matches!
From Ms Janaki Mahadevan
Mylapore, India
Respect others
It was a proud day for Indians on this year’s Republic Day (‘Indian expats celebrate unity in diversity on Republic Day’, Gulf News, January 27)! I just feel sad when others say negative things on Facebook about India instead of respecting the day and the nation. They are just cribbing over some other nation’s respect. The only way you can prove your true nationality is by respecting other’s nationality irrespective of cast, creed or colour.
From Ms Ruchu Sodwadia
UAE
Facebook comment
We live in peace
Indian democracy is beautiful, but is in danger when we are quiet against extremists and those intolerant to our diverse nation. Otherwise, everyone is living in peace and harmony.
From Mr Ghaus Ghosi
UAE
Facebook comment
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