Traffic fines at immigration
I hold my breath deep every time I see a car with a regional number plate (‘Millions of dirhams in fines go unpaid in UAE,’ Gulf News, November 11). I go to the extent that I inquire about the holiday periods in other countries in the region so that I can take further precautions. Sadly, I have repeatedly heard that many Dubai residents are now driving cars brought from neighbouring countries so they can drive as they wish. This way they avoid paying traffic fines and don’t even have insurance. The only solution to this is to send fines as quickly as possible to the UAE exit borders, to rest assure that the violators pay before they get an exit stamp. In addition, the authorities can register the fines in the immigration system under the car’s owner whereby he would be forced to pay next time he comes to the UAE by any means - road or air. However, I don’t think that linking the traffic system with Gulf Cooperation Council countries would help because the traffic enforcement is completely different in different countries.
From Mr Saleh
UAE
Deposit for vehicles
In order to reduce the amount of unpaid fines, I think that a security deposit of Dh1,000 or more per vehicle should be collected from drivers of cars coming from neighbouring GCC countries. The deposit should be returned only after the fine check is completed on the vehicle.
From Mr Nagesh
UAE
Punish them
It’s a bitter truth that while driving, people do not feel safe because of reckless drivers, who are known not for their skills, rather their irresponsible behaviour on roads (‘Traffic offenders must be punished to full extent,’ Gulf News, November 12). Over-speeding, getting cut off on the road, driving on the hard shoulder, tailgating, driving in a zigzag pattern, jumping lanes, taking a U-turn where it is not allowed - these are just a few from the long list. The authorities should take quick action against these irresponsible people, who are risking lives on the road.
From Mr Ghufran
Dubai
Website comment
Dilemma of Air India
The financial collapse of Air India, the national carrier of India, is attributed to many causes (‘Air India airline cruising well below altitude,’ Gulf News, November 9). The real cause is what appears to be corruption and undue influence of politics. The authority seems to be averse to modernisation, not only in terms of carriers, but also the work force. Furthermore, the word ‘punctuality’ seems to have no meaning for Air India. As we all know, we cannot serve two masters at a time. Air India has reached a dilemma where the government wants to allow private operators to flourish their business and at the same time it [Air India] wants to retain its supremacy for the sake of its employees. Passengers are not happy with the level of service they get. Trade unions always want to retain the older crew and the federal government is not ready to finance and streamline the operation of Air India. The only way out for the rescue of ill-fated carrier is to induct young crew members and new carriers into its fleet, coupled with world-class operation standards to exploit the global travel market.
From Mr Girish R. Edathitta
Dubai
Appalling
It’s shameful that a country like India with enough wealth, large population and some of the richest people and companies in the world, cannot run an airline efficiently. The reformation should first start from the higher management level. They should understand that any company survives on the basis of satisfaction of their customers. The best example is the pilot who took the extreme measure of pressing the panic button normally used when the plane is hijacked. He didn’t know how to handle a very simple situation. I really wonder how he would handle an emergency situation. The management doesn’t understand that they are digging their own grave. If such situations continue, Air India might not exist in the near future.
From Mr Shanavas Khan
UAE
Facebook comment
The world of technology
Overtime technology has developed to levels that were once unimaginable. Technology has helped man move faster then he ever could. It has made him reach to places he never could. Similarly, technology has made the human mind work faster and further. Today, the journey of exploring has no borders. Sometimes I sit back and ask myself, how much can we work in our traditional and natural ways, which once was the only option. It is like being able to travel in a supersonic jet when you once had to walk. I am not criticising technology but somewhere I feel that it can only give materialist happiness to humans. Today children play on ipads and computers, but what about their physical activity? Teenagers and young adults like to spend their nights at clubs and gaming centres, but how many of them are interested in poetry and history? I think the human mind needs to be pacified. We are all running in a rat race and often forgetting some core values, goals and traditions. We need to balance our lives between technology and nature. We need to only accept the benefits of both sides and avoid the harmful effects they have on us.
From Mr Ajithkumar
Dubai
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