An urgent need to stop washing vehicles in public spaces in order to preserve water and keep the environment clean and safe.
Every morning as I walk to school, I see people washing vehicles in public spaces. On October 15, as I was walking down the street, in a parking lot between Hamdan Street and Electra Street, I saw a man who had parked his bike on the footpath, washing it. I was very upset to see this as not only was he wasting water but also making the footpath wet, which can be harmful to pedestrians as they may slip and fall. This is not the first time I have seen people washing their vehicles in public. In fact, I see this every morning as I walk to school. This is not only dangerous to pedestrians but also making the environment dirty. After repeatedly seeing this every day, I would like to urge the public to stop washing their cars in parking areas and on footpaths. Instead, let’s help keep the surrounding clean and safe. This issue highlights the necessity of saving water in a country like the UAE, which is mostly surrounded by desert areas. We must learn to preserve water as it is scarce. There is nothing to substitute for water, as it is an essential component of life. Hence, I urge readers to find other alternatives, such as using an automated car wash at a regular frequency.
The reader is a grade 8 student of Our Own English High School in Abu Dhabi.
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