Readers sympathise with mother, but respect verdict

Dubai: When the Dubai Traffic Court of First Instance ordered a 27-year-old Lebanese woman to pay blood money for accidentally killing her foetus, a debate rose amongst Gulf News readers.

Some supported the court's decision, while others expressed their sympathy.

Sujah Samson Paul, a resident of Dubai, was considerate of the woman's current situation, but at the same time agreed with the court's ruling.

She said: "I feel sorry for the loss of her child and the emotional trauma and guilt she has to live with, but I agree with the court's decision. The life of an unborn child is precious and no one has the right to take this life away, either accidentally or intentionally. I hope no one has to go through this situation again!"

John P., a resident of Sharjah, agreed.

He said: "I think the court order is right. A pregnant woman should not be driving around. Additionally, according to the report, she was driving recklessly. There should be strict rules to check the physical condition of the driver."

Renadev Mattatholi, an Indian expatriate, expressed his strong opinion by sending a text message to Gulf News.

He said: "Pregnant women should not be allowed to drive as this might harm their unborn child. The court's verdict is a warning to those who are pregnant and can drive, to be a little more cautious in the future."

Jabeen, a resident of Dubai, had a similar opinion and thought pregnant women should consider not just their own life but their child's safety, too.

She said: "I totally agree with the court's decision. It should be a lesson for other women. The authorities should strictly implement limitations or conditions on drivers, especially for health-related issues."

The flip side of the situation was raised by several readers who wrote in to gulfnews.com to express their views.

Phil wrote: "No mother, especially during her pregnancy, would want to harm her child. I think it is not fair for the mother to be convicted. She is already traumatised due to her loss and is now being blamed for her child's death. That is too much."

Tripti Pathak agreed. She wrote: "How can someone be charged if she kills the foetus accidentally? Why would a would-be mother want to harm her child? She should be penalised only if it was an intentional act."

I'm not being insensitive to the feeling of the bereaved mother, nor being inhuman, but i must say, the court's decision is fair enough. the price paid for being a reckless driver, the same goes for those drivers out there who met accident and sentenced to jail, no question on whether it was intentional or not, the issue alone is reckless driving.
Arren
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 05, 2009, 17:29

I agree with S. Naved, what if she is forced to drive? like if she is a working mother she has to go for work and its tiring to depend on taxis or buses in that stage having to wait for long hours to reach home. As a mother who has been caring for her foetus all these months and to lose it when she is about to hold him in her hands, it would be unbearable for any mother. It was an accident not intentional. how can she be blamed? what if she met the something while her husband was driving? Who would be convicted? the husband? I sympathise with the mother and think that she should be warned, not convicted.
Misha
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: May 05, 2009, 17:03

How can you control how the person behind you is driving? According to the reports, she was hit from behind. Shouldn't that person be fined? You should always keep a fair distance between you and the car infront.
Pierre
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 05, 2009, 16:56

I respect the law of the country, but why sould a pregnant woman not drive? I'm pregant and as normal and active as anyone else. I drive to and from work everyday like many others. Moreover, foetus may be killed even when someone else is driving. So does that mean you should'nt travel at all. It should be the responsibility of the mother that the baby is ok, so she should drive safe. if someone else bangs the car, it's not her fault. which mother would want to kill her foetus in the 9th month of pregnancy? Wouldnt it have been easier for her in the earlier months?
Mariam
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 05, 2009, 14:07

Its hard to imagine the state of the to-be mother, and now she is being penalised for it. Wasn't losing her child a big enough punishment?
Siddharth Kanjilal
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 05, 2009, 14:05

There several women in this country who are forced to drive while pregnant not by choice but by necessity. As far as not maintaining a distance with the car ahead..from 6 am until 10 am all motorists on the Al ittihad road from shj to dubai should be charged wt that too.She lost her child when she was so close to having him in her arms.This punishment is enough.
S. Naved
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 05, 2009, 13:36

She shouldnt be driving at all if she's about to give birth, endangering herself, the baby, the drivers around and pedestrians.Intentions are not questioned. Judgment is at fault, and the decision to drive recklessly is inexcusable. There is no jail sentence, just a fine to show that she was at fault in the media. Fair ruling. Feelings aside, think about the morality of the unborn babies that could be saved from the awareness of this fair ruling.
From A Reader
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 05, 2009, 13:18

Its sad indeed to such a passionate loss for a mother. Courts decision might be a lesson for others to follow but the mother will live in agony for killing her own child for the rest of life.
Parveen
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 05, 2009, 12:39

What if she was driving to the hospital to give birth?
From A Reader
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: May 05, 2009, 09:51