Better transport system will fix parking issues

Readers write about parking, airlines, fire detectors and other issues.

A reader says the parking situation in Abu Dhabi is better than it was, but more can be done. Sammy Dallal / The National

The Abu Dhabi parking problem isn't nearly as bad as it was in 2009 (Clarifying the rules of parking, January 8).

The number of parked cars has probably dropped by half. However, if the city authorities want to solve the parking problem, they will have to improve the public transport system. Abdalla Ali, Abu Dhabi

The matter is all about availability. Since I pay for car parking, a space should be available.

AM Akbik, Abu Dhabi

Don’t park where you shouldn’t, pay your fees on time and understand that a car park is not a selling area for your car.

If you remember these simple things, you won’t have any problem. This is not rocket science.

Many of us have complaints about parking issues, but the law is the law – as it is in every other country.

Paul Bruwer, Dubai

The transport authority website is the best source for understanding everything you need to know.

This means that the authorities should make sure that this site is updated in real time.

Almost everyone I know who has left this country had to make a payment to settle a parking dispute.

Satyinder Sandhu, Abu Dhabi

My advice is: don’t park on pavements just because you have a large, expensive car.

Tanya Milbourne, Abu Dhabi

Live within your means

Solvency is easy (12 tips to financial solvency, January 7).

Here are some tips: stop buying things you can’t afford, stop using credit cards, stop taking out loans and living in houses you can’t afford. Also, stop driving cars you find hard to maintain.

If these rules are followed, then problems will not arise and you will have complete solvency. Name withheld by request

Rubbish proves a lack of respect

I was distressed to read RAK clean up nets fishing boats among 300 tonnes of rubbish (January 9).

If some fishermen can’t respect the waters that provide their living, then they should be banned from fishing there.

They’d behave properly if they thought their income would be cut.

Lisa Justice, Dubai

Many airlines have problems

In regard to Executive travel: Turkish Airlines business class from Abu Dhabi to Istanbul does not offer lie-flat seats (January 9), some other airlines are not much better.

When I flew with Emirates recently, my reclining seat didn’t work, and the ICE entertainment unit was stuck and couldn’t be reset.

Etihad is good, though. Its business class rocks.

John Paravalos, Dubai

Data shouldn’t be vulnerable

It doesn't really matter if the Russians hacked the American election (Trump still in denial about Russian hacking claims, January 8).

It’s America’s responsibility to protect its data.

However, the problem with president-elect Donald Trump is that he refuses to believe his own intelligence agencies.

That’s a serious matter.

Abdullah Ali, Abu Dhabi

We should also conserve water

I understand the need for more rain (Sheikh Khalifa calls on all Muslims in the UAE to pray for rain, January 9).

However, having grown up in a place where it rains all the time, I appreciate the UAE’s dry weather.

Name withheld by request

As we pray for rain, perhaps we should also use less water.

A Coady, Dubai

Fire detectors make sense

You report that fire-safety experts have welcomed the new ruling on smoke detectors (Smoke alarms to be compulsory in Sharjah from next year, January 9).

This is a must; it’s common sense.

Nora Al Suwaidi, Abu Dhabi