Stop being careless
It is very important to educate children as well as parents on road safety. Parents, most importantly, need to stick to rules.
The other day I was terrified to see three young children running across a four-lane road while it was empty, seconds later cars sped across it.
The children did not use the pedestrian crossing available a few metres away. What if a child had fallen down while running on the road? Who is to be blamed?
I have also seen adults who use the easy way out to cross the road by jaywalking instead of using the safer pedestrian crossings or the underpass available.
I hope they realise that they could endanger their lives and that of others by being careless.
From Ms Hiba Basheer
UAE
A matter of choice
Gadgets have definitely made life much easier, although they can be a nuisance at times ("Digital day of rest," Gulf News, April 19).
Using gadgets is a matter of choice and not something that's been forced upon us. We can either choose between hard work and stress or convenience and peace.
Bringing a certain balance in one's life by buying the gadgets we need and ignoring the rest could be a solution. All gadgets can be switched off. It's just a matter of choice.
From Ms Naina Nair
Sharjah
Noisy neighbours
I live in a building that has 12 studio apartments occupied by families. We have a neighbour whose children have been causing a lot of disturbance for the past few months.
The apartments are very small. As a result, the children play in the corridors during afternoons and evenings, causing a nuisance.
Despite regular requests from other tenants, they do not cooperate. Instead, their father has now started to keep his personal belongings in the passage area.
The landlord states that we have to bear with him, as they cannot ask him to vacate on these grounds.
There have been times when the children fight or have even used the passage area to relieve themselves and thus dirtied the entire place.
From Mr Manish Hirani
UAE
Easy way out
We have invented phrases of convenience such as "put to sleep" and "euthanise" in order to cover up our own guilt, while killing stray animals.
We participate in the cold-blooded murder of healthy young animals because we do not like to see them running around in the streets and this is the easiest way out.
In all likelihood, at least half of these animals would have survived without interference from humans in any way.
From Mr J. Krishnan
Dubai
Common theme
There seems to be a common theme in Gulf News' letters that revolves around a lack of parking spaces. I never see any reply to confirm that this is being resolved.
If space is a premium, then multi-storey car parking facilities could be a possible solution.
Additionally, with the numbers of cars increasing annually, something's got to give. Penalties should be increased and better alternative means of transport sought.
From Mr Ali Sultan
Bradford, UK
Wash cars, save water
In order to save on water, the municipalities could provide self-service carwash stations. All stations must have uniform water pressure.
The materials required should be arranged by the car owners. The time limit for a car wash could be a maximum of 15 minutes.
This would help reduce wastage of water and ensure that all users get an equal chance. The charges for car wash could be a minimal of Dh10.
Municipalities should allow only one person as an attendant who would maintain records and collect the charges for the number of cars washed per day.
From Mr Arvind T. Dhumale
Abu Dhabi
Helping students
I am a regular reader of Gulf News and very pleased that the newspaper raises issues in the interest of the public.
I request the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to implement a system in driving institutes whereby learners that have failed three times will be able to take free lessons until their next test.
In this manner, the driving school will shoulder the responsibility of the student and ensure that he or she is an efficient motorist.
From Mr Abhinav Jha
UAE
Publicity stunt?
Riding on the bandwagon of eco-friendly practices, many supermarkets are now promoting different types of alternatives to plastic bags.
Some are even charging for plastic bags at their cash counters. However, the supermarket itself packages most of its perishables such as vegetables, fruits, bread and other stuff in plastic.
It seems there is no effort made to limit plastic usage in these areas, which leads me to question the motive and effectiveness of the whole process. Is it just for good publicity?
From Mr Daoud J. Khalaf
Sharjah
Take action
To curb spiralling inflation, the authorities have imposed a limit on the percentage of rent increase every year.
Unfortunately, most real estate businesses do not follow the law, which is disturbing.
If the authorities have issued an order or a regulation, it has to be followed by all. Strict action must be taken against groups that violate rules.
From Ms Namrata S. Hiranandani
Dubai
Fill out complaints
I am glad to see that more buses have been added to Dubai's existing fleet. The taxi service in the city is the worst that I have experienced since the past seven years.
Everyone I have spoken with in the Bur Dubai area has complained about the initial Dh6 fare that taxis charge customers at the start of their journeys.
In addition to this, most taxi drivers have bad manners and often refuse to take passengers to their desired destinations.
I think there should be surveys or evaluation forms present in taxis for customers to fill out.
From Mr James Sutherland
Dubai
