Helping walk the walk
A short while ago, whilst visiting a bank, I noticed an elderly gentleman with a walking stick, struggling to walk down the staircase. A young man running up the same steps stopped and offered assistance, which was gratefully accepted. The young man carefully and diligently helped the elderly gentleman cross a busy street, stopping cars to do so and took time to make sure all was well before turning back, crossing the road and entering the bank up the same steps. It was such a good event to witness, I had to share it.
From Mr Roger Bartlett
Dubai
Sorely missed
As an employee in the Spectrum Building and a frequent visitor to the coffee shop where the victims of the recent minibus accident worked, I would like to convey to readers how wonderful the individuals were ("200 attend memorial service for crash victims in Dubai", Gulf News, July 15). They were a credit to themselves and their families. I cannot repeat enough, how much I will miss their cheerful morning greetings and bright smiles every time I came to work. Its such a tragic loss of young life.
From Mr Graham Emmerton
Dubai
Very informative
I have been a reader of Gulf News for almost three years and have found many informative articles about the UAE on www.gulfnews.com. I thank Gulf News for a wide variety of reports and articles and urge the newspaper to include more of them in the print edition.
From Mr Jagdish
Dubai
Full name withheld by request
Language barriers
As a visitor from the US, I am unable to speak Urdu or Hindi and find the attitude of the drivers of old taxis to be terrible. They cannot speak English or even communicate well. They lack respect for passengers and if they do not want to go to a certain place, they will not allow you to enter the taxi. We urge the authorities to train such drivers, as it ruins the image of UAE, if a visitor constantly faces such bad experiences.
From Mr Faisaal Talha
Abu Dhabi
Still waiting
I registered myself with a driving institute 16 months ago and am still waiting to get a driving licence. I have given eight road tests till date and have been failed by the examiner each time. From Mr Deepak Shaholia
Dubai
A clean locality
We have a good park in the Abu Shagara area, in Sharjah that is very well maintained. Unfortunately, a lot of people litter around the park, thereby ruining it's image. Though there are trash bins provided inside the park, not a single one exists around the park area. This leads to garbage being strewn all over the place. Additionally, there are certain buildings in the area, the surroundings of which are just as dirty. All building owners must instruct their tenants to keep the locality neat and clean.
From Mr James Anthony
Sharjah
Affordable homes
It takes 90 minutes to cover a distance between Sharjah and Dubai, which should ideally take half an hour ("Dubai Roads and Transport Authority launches road safety drive targeting trucks", Gulf News, July 16)? To start work in Jebel Ali at 8am, people living in Sharjah, have to leave their homes by six, hoping that there would be no road accidents to deter them from reporting to work on time. Deira residents more or less observe the same schedule, whilst people in Bur Dubai may have a slight advantage. Most bus drivers might have to start the day at 5am to pick people up on time. The resulting fatigue compounded with stress to reach destinations on time, takes a toll on most people. It is not surprising, then, if a driver dozes off while driving. The only solution is for people to find affordable homes closer to their work places.
From Mr Salvador Fernandes
Dubai
Learning by example
I request the authorities not to allow an exemption of even a single kilometer that is more than the permitted speed ("Friends offer prayer for Filipinas killed in Dubai road accident", Gulf News, July 14). Right now if the speed allowed is 80 kilometres, it is permissible to go up a bit. People take advantage of this and speed. Arrangements must be made to make these rules stricter. When a driver gets heavily fined once or twice, he or she will learn from the experience and avoid speeding. Learning by example, could help decrease the number of fatal accidents caused due to speeding.
From Mr David Mathew
Dubai
Poor driving
An accident occurs when the driver least expects it. People continue to speed thinking they would never make a mistake. Thereby, stating that the road rules are not strict enough is wrong. I feel most people on road speed due to deadlines, such as reaching work on time. Some tend to slow down when they spot a police car or bike in the vicinity and continue when clear of being "checked". If people were given the right to record a speeding vehicle or a rash driver on road, and report it to the police, things might not be as bad, as no speeding motorist would know which commuter might report him or her. Drivers would be careful all the time, and not just in the presence of police.
From Mr Arjun D. V.
UAE
