April 29, 2008

Drivers create new route!
To get to Dubai from Sharjah, I must take the Emirates Road, which is always congested around the National Paints roundabout.

A 20-minute trip often takes over an hour. However, help is at hand!

Enterprising drivers have made their own road by forging a shortcut through the small sliver of desert, beneath the power lines, that separates the emirates.

Many now take this route - the sand is firm enough to drive on - such that buses, trucks and even compact cars or saloons take this trail.

If the authorities were to build this tiny road, it would liberate the surrounding areas from the moat of traffic and lessen the strain on the overloaded Emirates Road.
From Mr Jason Ward
Sharjah

No manners
I would like to get across a message to the Western woman I encountered in the parking lot of a building, recently.

My family and I had parked our car, only to have her want to park behind us. I moved to give way and shifted the car for her convenience.

However, instead of being thankful, she stepped out of her car and started talking to us in a very crude manner, stating that we were "disturbing people".

I wish people could learn to be more thankful.
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request

Who is the best?
It's been a year since I have applied for a driving licence and still not got it. With three failed attempts, I've been waiting for the past three months to appear in a fourth test.

I don't know whom to blame - myself, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) or the reputed driving institute I have joined.

I am losing time, money and the hope of ever being permitted to drive. Now I am tired.
From Mr Amin Uhy
Sharjah

More buses, please
On a sunny day my friend and I wanted to go shopping. We did not have any vehicle to travel in.

Based on experience, we knew that taking a taxi would mean having to wait for a long time. In the end, we decided to travel by bus.

To start with, we had a long walk, before we could find a bus stop. I felt dizzy due to the heat, thirst and fatigue. Dubai needs more bus stops. I urge the authorities to improve the public transport system.
From Ms Saema Tazyeen
Dubai

Effective ways
I think it is a good move by Gulf News to initiate the campaign against the use of plastic bags. I would like to give a suggestion.

As a school student, we were taught to make the most of plastic, whenever possible.

I remember studying a chapter on a company in India that uses a modified mixture of plastic to lay down roads. It is an effective way to recycle plastic.
From Ms Lakshmi
Dubai
Full name withheld by request

Building reserves
The region is witnessing an unprecedented liquidity boom. Governments must invest in food security, such as in the development of agricultural facilities in African countries with a promise of buy back.

Building reserves might help bridge the demand supply gap and thus reduce prices.
From Mr Mohammad Moin Ul Haque
Abu Dhabi

Causes and clauses
Americans are on the losing end in the war of terror because they have incorrectly identified Israel as the enemy.

By arranging the financing of election campaigns of US congressmen and influencing public opinion through Israel-friendly media owners, the Israelis seem to have taken control of the US government, particularly its foreign policy.

This, to maintain Israel's illegal occupation of Palestine.
From Mr Paul Tatarewicz
Canada

Precious time
I am a resident of Naif area in Deira. Almost every day, I spend a minimum of 45 minutes to one hour driving around in my residential area, looking for a parking space.

The parking lot we used to park in has been closed down, in order to accommodate the temporary Naif Souq. I request the authorities to provide an alternative parking arrangement.
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request

Move over
I was frightened on reading the letter sent in by a reader in Dubai ("Dangerous drivers," Gulf News, April 23).

I consider the reader to be dangerous instead of the person he or she complained about. Does the reader even know who the real culprit is?

I don't know if it was due to ignorance or bad training, but why was he or she not in the inside lane, initially, if there was no intention of overtaking?

The vigilant driver could not have forced the reader into the inside lane.

Does the reader not realise that his or her selfish occupation of the middle lane turns a three-lane highway into a two-lane road?

This would force anyone to want to overtake from the outside lane, as it is the only lane remaining.
From Mr Gunther Reinhardt
Dubai