Follow the rules to avoid fines
If motorists are being punished for tailgating, there are also those who are a nuisance on highways, where the speed limit (with the grace speed) is 120km/h (‘Police target tailgating road bullies’, Gulf News, July 1). People cruise in the left lane at 100km/h and fail to move when a car is approaching from behind. They feel they are being harassed and are driving an ‘acceptable’ speed. Yes, the speed limit is acceptable, but in the second or third or fourth or fifth lane — not the fast lane.
Even when learning how to drive, instructors advise us to always drive in the second lane and use the fast lane to overtake only. It seems as though the new concept is to drive in the left lane only. To all those stressed out people who feel violated for 15 minutes, drive in the next lane if you want to just cruise. If we follow the rules made for everyone, these tailgating fines would never be there in the first place. A suggestion I have, is that if there is a fine for tailgating, there should also be a fine for motorists who do not move when they notice a car coming up from behind them at a reasonable speed. It is known that overtaking from the right is not allowed. So, what other option does a motorist have?
From Mr Mudassir
UAE
Website comment
Lacking common sense on roads
The only problem here is if you keep a safe distance of five metres or at least a four second-gap, some motorists will squeeze into that gap! Actually, tailgating and speeding is not the main problem — the lack of common sense while driving, is.
From Mr Kristoffer
UAE
Website comment
Fines that aren’t my fault
It is indeed a good decision by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). But, for sure, regular tailgaters are going to behave only in locations where radars are present. Also, what happens when a law-abiding driver leaves a safe distance and someone barges in between? This is going to happen on the roads, for sure. How does someone claim their innocence in such cases?
From Mr Deepak
UAE
Website comment
Anything is possible
I fail to see how this initiative will help in making a significant change, described in recent announcements. I’ve already begun training myself to keep a five metre gap. I have yet to see what the authorities will do to motorists who dominate lanes, rubberneck or who are inconsiderate towards others. Leaving five minutes earlier is not a practical solution. There needs to be a system that’s more transparent, since according to this announcement, anything is possible with technology.
From Mr Moose
UAE
Website comment
Make fines bigger
I hope this curbs the reckless nature of some drivers who have no regard for the safety of others and bully people by tailgating. However, I feel Dh400 should be increased to at least Dh1,000 to serve as a deterrent.
From Mr Harin G.
UAE
Website comment
Dangerous distracted drivers
I think more accidents are caused by slow drivers. They often drive in the fast lane, below the speed limit, and are oblivious to the cars behind them. Most of the time, I end up getting sandwiched between a slow car in front and a slow car on my right. These are the people who cause road rage and frustrations. It’s simple — if you see a car behind you coming in at a reasonable speed, give way. If you don’t bother to check your rear view mirror, and get hassled at the last minute, then you are at fault. Another thing I witness almost on a daily basis, is people still using their mobile phones while driving. I am frequently behind a car that is driving slowly, moving from side to side or just randomly braking, since the motorist is on the phone. This terrible offence must be controlled further, otherwise, what’s the point of having fines only for tailgaters?
From Mr S
UAE
Full name withheld on request
Stay patient
What do we do if a motorist drives at 110km/h speed in the fast lane, when there are areas of the UAE that see speeds of 140km/h? This rule means that all the cars behind this one, should maintain the speed of 110km/h and maintain a safe distance of five metres. Unless the slow-driving motorist moves from the leftmost lane, we are meant to keep our patience.
From Mr Sanooj Gopal
Ras Al Khaimah
Facebook comment
Teach respect and manners
Anyone who is pointing a finger at this child after he posted a selfie of himself and his dead grandfather, is not thinking rationally (‘Selfie with dead grand-dad shocks nation’, Gulf News, July 2). First, teach children respect and manners, rather than point fingers. It’s the society, family and parents’ problem.
From Mr Syed Hassan
Dubai
Worried about next generation
I believe this is not the fault of the child. Actually, he has been raised with such attitudes by his parents and they did not teach him respectful behaviour in such situations. Nowadays, it has become common in society to have such cases. Let’s teach the next generation the right way to do things, otherwise they will indulge in such horrible acts.
From Mr Mohsin Shawl
UAE
Facebook comment
Let the child cope
If such actions help my grandchildren cope when I pass away, it would be fine by me. Many grandparents do have this kind of teasing or fun relationship with their grandchildren. I would tell them, just don’t post my picture while I’m living, as I hate being in pictures. Let the boy mourn in his own way. I wouldn’t be surprised if his grandfather was okay with it.
From Ms Jacqueline Marie-Op
UAE
Facebook comment
Publicity won’t help matters
The only ones without values are people on social media. They are destroying this child, by posting his picture, from this incident. Yes, he needs help, but not like this.
From Ms Audrey Fonseca
Dubai
Facebook comment
Don’t judge, try understanding
Is his picture really making fun of the dead or is it his way of taking a photograph of his last moment with his grandfather? Who are we to judge a person or a child? We don’t know what his intention was, when taking that selfie. Instead of mocking him, why not try to understand him from a different perspective? Maybe his taking the picture, was his way of expressing sadness in a positive way. He is accepting his loss and his grandfather is at peace now. God bless all.
From Ms Bong Ferrer
Dubai
Facebook comment
Proper punishment
It was a wrong thing to do, but I don’t think a criminal investigation is necessary. I don’t think so at all. He is just a child. Maybe watering the flowers on his grandfather’s grave for a year is a better punishment.
From Ms Emine Dilek
UAE
Facebook comment
Children and mobile phones
This is why young children should not have their own mobile phones! If they do have one, then the parents should teach them morals and values.
From Mr Anum Harris Matin
UAE
Facebook comment
Can’t let this happen
The young woman needs to be counselled into reconsidering her decision of tying the knot with Abu Salem, a gangster who has been in jail since the early 1990s (‘Woman seeks to marry gangster Abu Salem; he says he is ready’, Gulf News, July 1). It is sad that she is willing to take this drastic measure, just to be able to lead a ‘respectable’ life. It is upsetting that women have to bear the taunts of society, regardless of whether it is their fault or not. I hope the court does not allow this marriage to take place, for it is worse than suicide — to be known as the wife of a terror suspect, who is serving time behind bars and could face death penalty. Instead, the authorities should compensate the woman for the harm, shame and torture they caused her after her morphed photographs with the gangster were circulated publicly during the investigation of the case.
From Ms Fatima Suhail
Sharjah
Facebook comment
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