Faster licensing process
This is in response to the new driving licence rule that aims to issue all new drivers with licences valid for a period of one year ("No easy ride for new drivers in Dubai", Gulf News, August 24). This is a great rule, as it would deter reckless or dangerous driving. The pressure to abide by regulations would keep motorists focused on their driving. More importantly, one year is a good time frame to judge whether new drivers are making a conscious effort to drive carefully. Once this becomes a habit, he or she would always be a safe, alert and conscious driver. However, any new learner takes around three to four months to appear for a road test. Thereby, the amount of time and money spent in acquiring a licence can be cumbersome. The authorities should work out a faster licensing process for learners.
From Mr Aditya Gupta
Dubai
Ideal scenario
With all due respect to Gulf News reader Ms Ritu Sanjai, I think an ideal scenario would be if everyone could live and work in Dubai ("Within city limits", Gulf News, August 25). It is a well-established fact that the rent in Dubai is higher than most people can now afford and this is perhaps why people prefer to move to other emirates and commute daily. I seriously doubt that the solution to traffic woes, in Dubai, is for everyone to live and work in the same emirate. We need a more effective and robust public transportation system.
From Ms Ruth Beverly LaCroix
UAE
Ignored area
I live in Sharjah and commute to Dubai every day for work. The traffic situation is getting from bad to worse. But the congestion at the industrial area traffic signal is especially horrible. I even have photographs of the junction, where motorists enter from all directions and form six to seven lanes. If police vehicles patrol the area or build a fence near the traffic signal, the traffic flow would be much more organised. However, the area is often ignored.
From Mr Mubin Mohammad
Sharjah
Wrong for the job
Asif Ali Zardari, co-chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), has no claim to fame besides the fact that he was married to the late Benazir Bhutto ("Doubts over Zardari's mental health", Gulf News, August 27). Yet, he is being considered for the position of Pakistan's president. Zardari is not a political leader, has no support base or following and no economic agenda. His party rode to power on a sympathy vote, following the assassination of his wife. How can Pakistanis leave the future of their country in the hands of a man who does not have any international experience or political skills?
From Mr Rajendra K. Aneja
Dubai
Be lenient, please
I request Abu Dhabi police not to charge vehicle owners with unreasonable fines, especially for parking in non-designated areas. It is a well-known fact that there is a scarcity of parking spaces in the Capital. Without providing alternatives or additional parking spaces, for residents, the authorities should not hold motorists responsible for parking in no parking zones. As long as the car is not blocking traffic, I think police officials should be lenient with fines.
From Mr Munir Makani
Abu Dhabi
Nowhere to park
Most residents in Abu Dhabi are upset at commercial vehicles for parking at every available space ("Commercial vehicles take up all the empty spaces", Gulf News, August 25). But this is not the only problem. I have two cars and between them, they now share three scratches. I had to report one of the scrapes and complain about the disorderly parking.
I lose at least 30 minutes trying to find a parking space every day and have had to pay an extra Dh500 to repair the car. On another occasion, I had to pay a Dh200 parking fine. I urge the authorities to do something about the situation.
From Mr Tarek Jaber
Abu Dhabi
Still a threat
The Roads and Transport Authority's (RTA) new one-year licence initiative sounds like a very good idea. But what about drivers who are dangerous and have already been issued with driving licences? Earlier, the rules for the issuance of licences were not as strict as they are today. These motorists still remain a threat to themselves and to the lives of others. I think the authorities should consider testing present licence holders, too.
From Ms Beena
Dubai
Website comment
Enough time
I do not think issuing a one-year licence will reduce problems or accidents on roads. In fact, while new licence holders would drive more cautiously, trying to dodge heavy fines and the possibility of an accident, the motorists who would have acquired a licence much earlier could continue to create problems. I think older drivers, not newcomers, should be accountable to such rules and fines. The only way to ensure road discipline is by imposing penalties, and increasing the number of radars or mobile cameras. A year is not enough time to guarantee that a driver would not make mistakes.
From Mr Mohammad Asif
Dubai
Bad to worse
The one-year driving licence initiative is a welcome step in the efforts to maintain road safety, but I think the new rule is going to have a negative impact on driving students. However, it is true that over the years, drivers have become more careless. Just five years ago, motorists seemed to have better road manners, but recently, their attitude has gone from bad to worse. Especially at roundabouts, or when approaching the main road from a service road, motorists seem to act ignorant of the rules or develop bad road etiquette. Let us hope that the new rule will bring in some good changes again.
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request
Tough rules
I believe the new rules for acquiring driving licences are not at all beneficial for learners. It is already very difficult to acquire a licence in the UAE, and the process is very expensive. Additionally, motorists are fined frequently for breaking rules and the laws are tough on offenders as it is. Why is there a need for new rules? Accidents occur accidentally and I believe such rules will not help reduce their frequency.
From Mr Abin Bose
UAE
No impact
I do not understand what impact the new rule would have on the current situation. A motorist who is on the road with a licence that is valid for one year or 10 years would still be able to do the same amount of damage. If the motorist is incompetent, he or she could still have an accident or violate the law because of inadequate driving skills. The regulations that are currently in place are sufficient, as they enable the cancelling of licences or the issuance of black points depending on the severity of the violation. These work better than the introduction of one-year licences.
From Mr Shyam
Abu Dhabi
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