Distracted drivers are a serious safety hazard

Distracted drivers are a major dangers. Other topics: animal cruelty, Etisalat challenge, TE Lawrence, trees and Middle Eastenders.

A reader says distracted driving can be a killer on the roads. (Pawan Singh / The National)

Perhaps the reasons for poor driving attitudes and skills can be better understood by comparing air and car travel (Tinted windows an excuse for recklessness on UAE roads, motorists say, May 17).

Travelling by air is many times safer than travelling on roads, because pilots are well trained to be safe and are likely to see airplanes as simply a means of transport.

On the other hand, many drivers see their cars as much more than this. For example, they see them as extensions of their personalities. As such, they probably focus on their driving a fraction of what a pilot would on flying.

In parts of Canada, distracted driving now kills more people than drunk driving. It took several decades for the Ontario government to effectively enforce drunk driving laws and to educate people to strongly discourage drunk driving.

What this suggests is that distracted driving may be with us for a long time unless the police begin to target drivers who use their cellphones while driving.

C Chong, Dubai

The police deserve praise for targeting drivers who speed and drive recklessly. However, judging from the number of drivers who keep texting or making calls while driving, there is definitively scope for improvement (Driving becomes more dangerous, May 14).

Speed is continuously blamed as a cause of accidents, but in reality the true causes are what drivers do while they speed. It is obvious that if you use your phone and drive in traffic, the risk of being in an accident is much higher.

In Germany, some freeways have no speed limit but the country is still one of the safest – because they severely punish reckless driving.

Name withheld by request

Animal cruelty is unacceptable

Regarding the story Abu Dhabi family's anger after pet cat is shot with arrow (May 18), the archer probably didn't know what he was doing.

If he used a proper bow and enough pull, that cat would not have been alive.

Valeriu Crainic, Dubai

This is not only shocking but shameful that a helpless animal was put through such excruciating pain at the hands of a human being who seemingly has a destructive mind.

I am glad the cat survived against all the odds and is back with its owners.

Fatima Suhail, Sharjah

Etisalat needs a bigger challenge

With regard to your speed comparison between Etisalat and Du (Etisalat's mobile internet speed more than twice as fast as du, May 17), in Britain for £5 (Dh29), you can get unlimited Blackberry service on Vodafone for 30 days on a 4g network.

That’s what Etisalat should be seeking to challenge, not du.

Abdulla Hamed Kazim, Dubai

Many views on TE Lawrence

Of course TE Lawrence is a relic, but he is part of history and that should never be forgotten (Lawrence's appeal remains intact 80 years on, but..., May 18).

But is what he stood for a relic? I am sure many people from many walks of life would have a great many differing views on that.

Dave Pryce, Dubai

Lawrence was an explorer, an adventurer, a writer and a romantic. Just because he supposedly didn’t “fit”, one can’t compare his ideals with those who take up the religious cause of ISIL.

Ali McDonald, Abu Dhabi

Why are trees being cut down?

These days I regularly see municipality people cutting trees in various places. If it’s absolutely necessary, then why not cut them in winter?

Many areas lack trees, so people have nowhere to look for shade when the heat becomes unbearable. I think trees should be planted all over the country.

In urban areas trees help reduce both air and surface temperature. So instead of cutting them in summer, they should be allowed to grow.

M Abdul Mannan, Abu Dhabi

The perfect title for a local soap

With regard to your editorial (Is the UAE ready for its own Coronation Street?, May 17), you ask if there is a case for a local long-running soap opera to support the local television industry.

My friend came up with the perfect name for it: Middle East­enders.

Riad Maraie, Abu Dhabi