Letters: August 19, 2013

Due to an increase in the number of road accidents, Dubai Police is reviewing the speed limit on various roads and considering reducing it. Gulf News readers reacted to this news and sent in their views in great numbers. While many agreed with the idea of reducing the speed limit, they asked for more police patrols, higher fines and stricter penalties for repeat offenders. Here is a selection of letters we received.

Enforcing the law

If the current speed limit is strictly monitored with the help of more mobile radars and penalties for offenders, it will be more effective (“Dubai to review speed limits in bid to reduce road deaths”, Gulf News, August 15). Reckless driving doesn’t just mean driving at higher speeds. It includes other offences as well, like erratic lane changing, using mobile devices while driving, driving when drowsy or under the influence of alcohol. We have seen countless fatal accidents, even between vehicles being driven below the speed of 100 kilometres per hour. Most important is the implementation and enforcement of the law. Lowering the speed limit may help, but what will the limit be? Accidents don’t happen due to speed but due to uncontrolled driving.

From Mr Syed Tanveer Hussain

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Lane discipline

Reducing the speed limit will not help at all. It’s the mindset of the drivers that needs to be changed. During our driving classes, we are taught to drive and change lanes safely, but not too much stress is put on how to react in case of emergencies. Maybe these things are already there in the booklet that we get, but we need more time and focus on these issues. Recently, there have been many cases of accidents due to car breakdowns in the middle of the road. Does this point get covered during our lectures and classes? No. We should also get training on how to get one’s car off the road in such cases. But, the main issue we face is understanding the lanes. I feel that the majority of motorists have a wrong impression in this regard. For instance, the reason we call the extreme right lane as the slow lane is because usually people who anticipate an exit will be driving here and hence the speed will be lower. So these lanes are bound to be busier than the others. The sooner people realise this, the better.

From Mr Suraj Kannan

Dubai

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Not enough crossings

It is not generally the speed of the traffic that is the issue, as it relates to pedestrians and other road users, be they in cars or on bicycles. Poor lane discipline is to blame. There is an apparent lack of driving skills required to stay in a single lane and lack of indication of intent. Additionally, there are limited pedestrian crossings on major roads and as a consequence, pedestrians are known to cross at inappropriate places.

From Mr Andrew Barstow

Dubai

Slow drivers

Speed is of course an issue. But, it is equally important to act correctly and safely in an emergency situation. Driving schools must teach their students how to react in such situations and the safety aspects of driving in local conditions. It is also important to know that driving too slow in the fast lane is wrong. People must learn to use the slower lanes if they are driving slowly. Cameras should click if someone is driving below the minimum speed and the authorities should fine them. A traffic pile up behind a slow car is a common sight on Shaikh Zayed Road.

From Mr Eric Pereira

Dubai

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More radars

Speed limits should be reduced to avoid accidents on roads and more radars and mobile radars need to be installed to control the speeding motorist. People who drive on a daily basis are aware of the placement of the radars and they slow down accordingly and don’t follow the speed limit.

From Ms Suki S.

UAE

Higher fines

I personally want to encourage the idea of Dubai Police reducing the speed limit. There are those who leave their homes late for work and then drive really fast. I suggest they leave earlier or pay heavy fines for speeding! I remember that a few years ago, when the speeding fine was Dh200, Gulf News had asked for the public’s opinion on the amount. I was one of the readers who had suggested a heavy fine and I had mentioned that it should be at least Dh1,000. I am glad that after a few weeks the fine was increased from Dh200 and went up to Dh600. Inspite of the authorities taking all the necessary steps to reduce the speed limit and safeguard drivers, there are people who disrespect the rules and drive recklessly without thinking about other drivers and the laws of the country! I congratulate Dubai Police for their efforts.

From Mr Mamachan Panayil

UAE

Report them

I notice reckless and hazardous drivers during my drive to work on a daily basis. It is frustrating when I see these motorists doing something wrong and can’t do anything about it. We cannot expect the police to be present everywhere at the right time either.

From Mr Sunil

Dubai

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No crossings

I think there are very few pedestrian crossings on Shaikh Zayed Road in Dubai and the same is with other roads in the emirate. I want to suggest that the number of crossings be increased so that people can easily cross the road, instead of crossing from unauthorised points.

From Mr Muzamil

Dubai

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Impound cars

The solution is simple — raise the fines and impound the cars of motorists who do not comply. The repeat offenders are the ones speeding down on the roads and don’t even blink an eye when the camera flashes at them repeatedly. They ignore their fines or don’t care about paying them. The authorities need to put extra resources in recovering these fines and start impounding the cars to teach these offenders a lesson.

From Mr Sar

Dubai

Remove grace speed

Dubai has a nice and modern road system, but many people take advantage of these roads. I experience bad driving behaviour from some drivers almost every day. Tailgating is one of the most dangerous among all issues. These drivers think that everyone should use the 20 kilometres per hour grace speed. For example, even if the road has a limit of 60 kilometres per hour, they force you to go at 80 kilometres per hour. As I never try to increase the speed beyond the specified limit, people tend to get angry and overtake my vehicle in a highly dangerous manner. This happens even when I use the right track or when the other tracks are empty. Therefore, I request the authorities to put an end to the grace speed, which will make Dubai roads safer and more pleasant.

From Mr Arun K. K.

Dubai

Rude and arrogant

I think reducing the speed limit is not the true solution, rather that each driver’s attitude needs to be altered. There’s a choice between being a reckless or cautious driver on the road. Often times on Shaikh Zayed Road, a driver would be in the second lane from the left and then would suddenly change lanes to the extreme right to take the exit. Additionally, motorists that do not keep a safe distance, mostly in the fast lane, are arrogant and rude. I choose to be cautious and defensive. When driving, I make sure I know well in advance when I need to change lanes, keep a safe distance, do not speed and constantly check my rearview mirror.

From Mr J. R. Lee

Dubai

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Hefty fines

Whatever the speed limit, the fines for violations of those limits would only work if they can stop a maximum number of motorists from speeding or even considering driving over the limit. From my experience, a Dh400 or above fine is not something people worry about for various reasons. As long as there is a fine amount big enough that makes a lot of people think twice before going over the limit, the problem will not be solved.

From Mr Milad

Dubai

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Strict penalties

Reducing the speed limit is not the answer. Tough measures such as black points on the driver’s licence and a hefty fine should also be given. If a person continues to break traffic rules, they should be given strict punishment as per the law. For example, if someone is caught driving rashly several times, his or her car should be taken away for a minimum of three months along with the driver’s licence. Even after this, if they are caught speeding, their licence should be cancelled and they should never be allowed to drive again.

From Mr Troy

Dubai

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No tolerance

I would suggest reducing the limit on the highway from 120 kilometres per hour to a 100. Additionally, the grace speed should be removed.

From Mr Rehmat Allah

Dubai

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