What’s the hurry?
I am seriously concerned about the drastic change in people’s driving behaviour during Ramadan (“Accidents could increase by 20-50 per cent during Eid”, Gulf News, September 7). Do motorists think it is acceptable to floor the accelerator, ignore pedestrians, radars and all driving etiquette just because they are trying to get home in time for iftar? Such people should learn to manage time better, leave their workplaces or homes earlier and stop harassing other motorists on the road. The value of a life doesn’t change when you are running late — you are still putting yourself and others at risk. In fact, such situations should be seen as an opportunity for people to exercise patience and good will, because the way you drive is often reflective of your personality.
From Ms Alia Hamid
Sharjah

Driven by gold
I find humans to be a very odd species. It always looks like we need to dedicate our lives to some materialistic product, push it to higher demand, and then crib when the prices are too high to reach. Hasn’t the world seen enough of skyrocketing prices in real estate, oil, share markets and now, gold? Do you really think this shiny material really deserves this kind of royal treatment? Why are our lives being driven by this metal? Can’t we be sensible enough to realise how worthless materialistic things are? I feel that our lives are valued based on such materials. I hope we can put a stop to this and start living our lives free from all the hype of owning gold.
From Ms Neena P.
Dubai
Full name withheld by request

A warm smile
I have seen the traffic regulator many times on the street in the morning and I always noticed his happy expressions in the middle of a congested area and the heat (“Ensuring road safety with a radiant smile”, Gulf News, September 7). He really makes me feel better and puts a smile on my face. It makes me think of myself and how I should try to be a better person every day and with everyone. He is a great example for me and may God bless him for his devotion and loyalty to his duty and for the great amount of goodness that he sends to everyone every single day.
From Ms Slavka
Sharjah

Inspirational
It is great to read such a story about the sincerity and dedication of a traffic regulator. During my daily trips from Sharjah to Dubai I see his pleasant smile that gives me a boost to deliver my duties with more dedication. I have seen him at a traffic signal in front of the Dubai Police headquarters, near Al Ittihad tunnel, and so on. He deserves this admiration. This appraisal certainly reaches the outstanding excellence of Dubai Police, too.
From Mr Abdul Hamed
Muscat, Oman

Show more muscle
The new tightening of the consumer law is a welcome move (“Consumer law in UAE gets more teeth”, Gulf News, September 7). Food quality and safety in the UAE is generally better than many places in the world. However, consumer protection is weak when it comes to financial products and services such as credit cards and insurance companies — 2.79 per cent is the monthly interest charged on an outstanding balance on a card, which is way too high. I am now in India and I see advertisements by insurance regulations authorities on a daily basis that inform people about how to complain and protect their rights if insurance companies trick them. The relevant authorities in the UAE should show more muscle and protect people in the same way.
From Mr J. Krishnan
Trivandrum, India

Time to go low
It is great news to hear that they are adjusting the prices (“Bread prices, specifications in UAE to be adjusted”, Gulf News, September 7). I am glad to read that the consumer protection department is closely monitoring the price of bread. Most of the people in the country will benefit tremendously from this. We hope the prices of rice and lentils will be monitored as well because they are way too high.
From Mr C. L.
Abu Dhabi

Value of life
Another year, another anniversary of the terrorist attacks in New York. I hope all those people killed in that incident rest in peace. It was certainly a disgusting act and there was no reason behind killing a human life. However, it also does not mean that the daily killings in Pakistan, Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan should not be given importance. After all, a human being is a human being, regardless of race or status. People need to pay more attention to what is happening around the world and do their research because the media, anywhere in the world, will not always show what is happening, and if they do they will give more importance towards some matters over others.
From Ms Leslie Silverston
Al Ain