Lettes: March 14, 2010

Enforce the law
I moved to Discovery Gardens in October, 2009 (“Discovery Gardens residents frustrated with traffic mess”, Gulf News, March 10). It would take me approximately 15 minutes to get to work. Gradually this increased to 40 minutes, especially if I left home between 7 and 9am. The area sees a lot of traffic violators. Inconsiderate drivers break traffic laws, intimidate other drivers by jumping queues, drive on the wrong side of the road and drive over the kerb. When one enters the area from the Shaikh Zayed Road exit, there is a single dedicated lane for cars turning into Discovery Gardens. Some drivers have started using the wrong lane at the signal to turn left. Some of these violators are causing unnecessary accidents leading to more delays. The authorities need to perform a survey of the traffic flow in relation to the timings of the traffic lights. Additionally, police should be present to penalise the drivers who break the rules.
From Ms Kanti Mistry
Dubai

Not the real picture
The pictures in the article don’t tell the whole story. The situation is much worse than what the pictures reflect. It would help tremendously if the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) could open up the other access roads towards Discovery Gardens from Shaikh Zayed Road. The necessary access roads and traffic lights are in place, but have not been activated. If these were activated, the congestion at the first and second traffic signals would ease a lot.
From Ms Ina Taljaard
Dubai

Read report on Discovery Gardens’ traffic woes

Total disconnect
The traffic is horrendous and it takes at least 30 minutes to get to Shaikh Zayed Road from my home in the morning. In the event of fog and rains, we must wait in long queues for at least an hour. Perhaps the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) could consider having a direct link which takes motorists back to Discovery Gardens from Nakheel Harbour and Tower Station. For people like me who don’t drive and would like to use the Dubai Metro, there is no direct bus from the station to Discovery Gardens and vice versa. From Ms R. Ansari
Dubai

Check habitual offenders
When I moved to Discovery Gardens in January 2009, I didn’t take more than 15 minutes to reach Jebel Ali. Now, it takes an hour. I thought I would be closer to Shaikh Zayed Road’s exit and traffic signals would start functioning soon. However, 14 months later, the signals are not active. This leaves a big trail. It is high time signals are activated to regulate [traffic] flow. Inconsiderate driving habits leave many frustrated. I can identify cars that do it habitually. These drivers should learn to leave their homes earlier, rather than spoiling other motorists’ mood with all the honking. All of us like to make it to office on time.
From Mr Mohammad Reza D.
Dubai

Room for improvement
It takes at least 30 minutes to leave Discovery Gardens in the morning. I had contacted the developers and they said it is an issue to be dealt with by the RTA but the report in Gulf News says otherwise. So this means the situation will not be resolved. People entering lanes as if it is their right makes the issue worse. There is a patch of only a few metres which if developed could easily link Discovery Gardens to Al Khail or Emirates Road.
From Mr Fawad Memon
Dubai

Daily nightmare
Residents in Discovery Gardens are suffering daily traffic torture, mainly due to poor traffic management. All residents are forced to go out of the compound by the same road with only two lanes, as if a funnel. To add to that, there are two traffic lights that block the traffic, as they stay green for a very short time. It takes an average of 25 minutes to reach Shaikh Zayed Road. All this could be minimised if all road resources available were released. There are two crossings that have been blocked by heavy concrete blocks for over a year. If these crossings were open, a lot of traffic could be diverted in other directions instead of being forced to pass through the ‘funnel’. We appeal to the developers and authorities to solve this situation.
From Mr Antonio Abreu
Dubai

Continuing issues
The reported traffic frustrations are not confined to the Discovery Gardens residents. Complicating the traffic situation are the close proximity to Ibn Battuta Mall, the soon to open Metro Station and another hotel that is yet to open. The planning, coordination and implementation of the road works for these numerous adjacent projects and the lack of adequate access to Shaikh Zayed Road is deplorable. What’s more, the inconsiderate and illegal lane-jumping and lack of queue discipline ruin the commute for those using the correct lanes. Only on one occasion have I seen the police discourage lane-jumpers. I urge Gulf News and the authorities to look more closely at the extent of the problems and impact on the residents. With more and more people taking up residence in this community and commuting to work each day in Abu Dhabi, the mess is going to get worse.
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request

Accidents cause delays
Accidents are a waste of time I live in Discovery Gardens and work in Abu Dhabi. Travelling from Discovery Gardens in the morning is an absolute nightmare. People jump lanes, ignore the signals and create four lanes when there are only two – it is just horrific. Let’s not even mention the time when we have a minor accident – then it takes an extra hour to get out.
From Mr Shamiela W.
Dubai