Welcome the tracking system
I welcome the strategy of fitting a tracking system in taxis, as I personally experienced an awful incident last week when I had to take a taxi from downtown Abu Dhabi to Khalifa City ("Abu Dhabi taxis to be fitted with tracking system", Gulf News, March 3).

The taxi driver started a conversation while we were still within city limits. However, just after we crossed the new Corniche area and the people on the roads started diminishing, he began talking vulgar stuff.

I had to get out of the taxi in the middle of a highway and was stranded until my husband came to rescue me after half an hour.
From Ms Anne Bright
Abu Dhabi

Questionable
I was shocked and horrified to see the recent edition of Gulf News with the main picture of a dead child ("Gaza carnage buries peace negotiations", Gulf News, March 3).

On his way back from school, my five-year-old was terrified on realising that the child in the picture was dead. If Gulf News was opting for shock value - this picture achieved it.

I personally object to using such graphic photos to tell a story. That is what good writing is for. However, if there is a dire need for the general public to see this, at least put it inside the paper or below the fold.

I would have to say that the newspaper has chosen to follow very questionable journalistic and editorial ethics on this one.
From Ms Hillary Sisson
Dubai

Spread awareness
I express my concerns to see the wastage of water in new developments of the UAE. Residents splurge their wealth in getting rich green lawns and private swimming pools with scant regards to the environmental impact of such activities.

I call upon Gulf News to launch an awareness campaign for people to know more about desert landscaping and reducing the over-consumption of water and power resources just the way local authorities are doing elsewhere in the world.
From Ms Mini Ravindran
Dubai

Reverse fines
As per a recent news report, the fine for not wearing seatbelts is Dh400 and four black points, while if one blocks traffic he or she will be charged Dh200 ("Black points 'will help cut down fatal accidents'", Gulf News, March 4).

If you ask me, the fines for the aforementioned offences should be reversed and people who change lanes or block traffic must be heavily fined.
From Mr Lawrence D.
Dubai

Incentives
The issue of new traffic fines is a good step towards curbing the daily road rage that often results in casualties. But in my view this is not the complete solution to the problem, especially if one needs to have a win-win situation.

I suggest that in cases wherein a driver has not received any fines or black points within a year, he should be either exempted or given a reduction in the registration fee at the time of his annual vehicle registration.
From Mr Syed Farrukh Mehdi
Dubai

Cashing in
Ever since the Bangladesh cricket team was awarded a Test status, all the other teams in the world have enjoyed playing against it, especially since they can easily use the opportunity to smash Test records, both individual and otherwise ("South Africa win five-wicket triumph over Bangladesh", Gulf News, February 25).

The International Cricket Council (ICC) needs to address why this is being allowed.
From Mr Syed Shaukat Jamal
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Confusing
I request the authorities concerned to install traffic signals at the new shopping mall roundabout in Al Quoz. This is a very confusing roundabout.

There have been many instances when many people I know have also experienced difficulty while driving through this area.
From Mr Jayaprakash
Dubai
Full name withheld by request

Apt definition
This is in response to the letter to Gulf News by Mr Paul Robertson ("Protect families", Gulf News, March 3). I completely agree with his statement. Every day we risk our lives and those of our loved ones.

Just by driving onto the Dubai Investment Park roundabout, one has to tackle the lethal combination of trucks, huge buses, and frustrated motorists trying to pave way.

If road rage were defined by honking of car horns, yelling and dangerous driving, this roundabout is the perfect example for it.
From Mr Rick Advano
Dubai

Let her be
I often read about readers like Mr Craig Miller who often try to silence journalists like Linda Heard ("Do away with", Gulf News, March 2). They cannot accept that a newspaper can actually publish something that is enlightening.

Linda Heard is one of the very few journalists who calls a spade a spade and narrates facts which others might not have the courage to.

Surely the Western press would never publish her articles because they want to present only one side of the picture. So let her have her say at least in this part of the world.
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request