Reduce noise pollution
If each person tries to avoid or minimise the use of car horns while driving, it would help reduce noise pollution to a great extent.
If a car slows down to look for a parking space, vehicles that usually follow it blow the horn loudly and continuously. I don't understand why people are impatient.
Some play loud music and are extremely insensitive to the disturbance that it creates for the other residents. People should inculcate self-discipline and learn to respect the rights of others.
Excessive noise pollution is harmful to all people as well as the environment.
From Mr Majeed K. M.
Abu Dhabi
Set an example
The decision to ban old vehicles is not a particularly wise one ("Banning old cars 'will not make roads greener'", Gulf News, June 22).
Some older cars might be safer and in better shape than newer ones. Age is no measure to judge whether a car should or should not be on the road.
Each vehicle should pass road safety and emission tests.
From Mr Ehab Fahmy
Dubai
Listen up
I have noticed that violence is on the rise, especially amongst children. I assume this is due to a lack of communication between parents and children.
Parents should learn to listen to their children even if they have a different view or take on things.
From Mr Nassef N.
Abu Dhabi
Good news
Gulf News is a great read. The front page always displays good news. Some countries constantly flag bad news on their front page.
Be it a bomb blast, minor or major accidents or crimes, everything is highlighted in big headlines and the event is followed up for days.
I'm sure no one wants to read bad news the first thing in the morning.
From Ms Mini
Sharjah
Full name withheld by request
Reveal all
On most highways in the United States, the approach roads have signals to regulate a vehicle's entry on to the highway.
The signal monitors incoming traffic from side roads to avoid possible collision. It is high time that such entry controls are installed on UAE highways.
Entering from a side road on to a highway is a major risk on many roads. Additionally, any accident that is reported on must be made public so that people can learn what not to do.
From Mr K. V. Jayaraman
Dubai
No third party
Why can't customers directly collect their passports from the embassy if they have an identity card ("Dubai resident's passport with new US visa stamp gets lost in the mail", Gulf News, June 20)?
A third party should not handle a passport unless it has official use, in which case it can be held by a government department.
From Mr Tariq Syed
Sharjah
Quick action
I thank the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) for doing an amazing job of handling complaints against taxis that refuse to take passengers to their desired locations without citing a valid reason.
Recently, I had lodged a complaint against a taxi driver and to my surprise, it was processed within five days.
I received a call from the RTA investigations office and the taxi company and they apologised to me for the incident.
From Mr Abdul K. Noor Al Deen
Sharjah
Who's responsible?
No school should be allowed to operate if it cannot provide a bus facility to its pupils. Most parents cannot take the decision of discontinuing their children's education in the middle of an academic year.
Earlier, if there was any complaint to be made against a driver or a bus attendant, parents could approach the principal.
However, with the outsourcing of buses from private firms, with whom does the onus lie?
From Mr Joseph Mathew
Dubai
A wake-up call
As a Briton, I for one feel more safer in the UAE than in London, where there is a greater likelihood of being mugged or stabbed for a mobile and loose change on a night out ("Chat between drunk men sparked terror warning," Gulf News, June 20).
However, because of the ramifications they may cause, I do know these warnings aren't issued on a whim.
Unless you're part of the security service dealing with this specific end of the business, you're unlikely to know under what context it has been issued.
It is hardly going to be a 'cry wolf' warning. We are in a region where part of it is under conflict and emotions are running high.
No matter how you spin it, it just takes one to slip through and like most countries in the world; the UAE isn't immune. Anyway, I just see it as a wake-up call.
From Mr Jack Piombini
UAE
Quite unlikely
I was born and raised in the UAE. My father moved here in 1964.
We have never heard of such a threat, and even if I do, I will stand by this country and not let something like that shake our faith in the security system that has worked better than Western intelligence in most cases - if not all.
From Mr Mohammad
UAE
Full name withheld by request
Secure place
I returned from Dubai to the US on June 16. There is no doubt that the UAE is booming.
As far as security is concerned, I think the UAE is a secure place to live in and there is no threat of terror. The UK warning is news to me.
From Mr Ashraf Mirza
USA
Expose them
People should not stick their heads in the sand and ignore warnings that are issued for their benefit.
I, for one, will be praying that these terrorists are exposed as my daughter lives in the UAE. The British government does not issue warnings for fun.
From Ms Angela
Australia
Full name withheld by request
Work and home
It is very difficult for working mothers to leave their children for long hours with babysitters and housemaids.
When a working mother wants to leave her workplace at the assigned time, she is questioned about her commitment to her job and often reminded of the fact that it is unprofessional to keep her work pending for the next day.
There should be a degree of acceptance in the workplace. Working mothers need to be successful professionals, but they also have to care for their families.
From Ms Rubina Coelho
Dubai
Blessing in disguise
I feel the rise in oil prices is a blessing in disguise. We all talk about how we must make more effort to stop the effects of global warming, but none of us are ready to make the sacrifice by reducing our carbon footprint.
The rise in the price of crude oil has automatically forced people to go for smaller cars that consume less petrol and emit less carbon dioxide.
I truly feel that this is wonderful news for the next generation.
From Mr Philip T. Ranjan
Fujairah
Advance notice please
Recently, my husband and I went to the Indian Consulate in order to get our passports renewed. The drive from Sharjah to Dubai was over two hours long.
On reaching the Consulate, we were informed that it was closed for the day in celebration of an Indian festival. Since it was not announced in the local newspapers or anywhere else, it was a great inconvenience.
It would be much appreciated if announcements were made prior to such holidays, so most residents would not have to make fruitless trips.
From A Reader
Sharjah
Name withheld by request
No future change
Our hopes faded when we read about US presidential candidate Barack Obama's manifestos ("Obama plays into Israel's hands", Gulf News, June 10).
His inclination towards Israel and singling out Iran as a threat to the world gives the impression of another George Bush coming to power. It does not signal much change in administration.
Obama is known as the first Black nominee for the post of US president. He may well be aware of his community's ordeal in the apartheid era, with people in some parts of the US still enduring discrimination.
Instead of encouraging prejudices, Obama must win the hearts of the common people. Israel has been continuing its atrocities against Palestine and defying international directives, yet Obama is trying to please Israel by supporting its heinous crimes.
He must consult his conscience and examine the facts before concluding that Iran is a great threat. Irrespective of who the president is, the White House's attitude towards Arabs and Israel seems unlikely to have any change.
From Mr Adil Sulaiman K.
Dubai
Unpleasant shocks
I was not surprised to read a report by Gulf News on a resident's appalling experience at a restaurant ("Screw in pizza gives father a big shock", Gulf News, June 8).
The incident is definitely not the first to occur, especially this year. I found a piece of glove in a cake I bought from a leading hypermarket in Sharjah, recently. As I did not wish to make a big fuss about it, I did not report the incident.
This is not just my experience, but of several others who do not complain due to their busy lifestyles. Ignorance, lack of proper supervision and unhygienic kitchens are to blame. I hope the authorities take severe action against eateries in order to tackle such 'accidents'.
From Ms Archana S.
Sharjah
Smart move
I strongly agree with the municipality's campaign to cut down the number of smokers in the country ("Dubai bans cigarette sales to under-20s as world marks No Tobacco Day", Gulf News, June 1).
Furthermore, I think it is a positive move on the part of Dubai's municipality. Prohibiting people less than 20 years of age from acquiring cigarettes is an excellent idea to reduce the impact of smoking. Once this idea becomes successful, they can further extend the ban of cigarette sales to adults as well.
From Ms Bakheeta Al Mansouri
Abu Dhabi
Updates needed
Along with the upcoming address system, it would help if telephone directories had addresses listed instead of post box numbers ("Dubai address system revamp will help public locate places easily", Gulf News, June 8).
We always have to phone a shop or company to ask for their location, which is often an unnecessary waste of time. Receptionists and other staff members spend a great part of their day advising people about the location of the organisation and this can be very unproductive.
From Ms Gillian Brian
Dubai
Be careful
It was very heartbreaking to read about the young man who lost his life by inhaling pesticides ("Man dies after inhaling pesticides sprayed in his Abu Dhabi flat", Gulf News, June 15).
This is not the first time such an incident has occurred. The authorities should take tough measures against people who violate rules and regulations. They should ensure that residents are given certain instructions prior to the use of pesticides at home.
Tenants should be aware of the consequences or side effects of using pesticides. Notices could be posted on residential premises, outlining the details of the procedure and the minimum period of time that tenants are required to stay out of the apartment.
Necessary instructions need to be given to some restaurants and shops that are often found using pesticides at closing hours, without properly securing food items. People should strictly adhere to the rules and regulations of safety in order to protect themselves and people around them.
From Mr P. Mohammad Nazeer
Dubai
