Penalty for dusty cars is too harsh

Readers express frustration over steep fines on dirty cars. Other topics: Mahmoud Abbas, building safety, education, savings

Readers express frustration over large fines on dirty vehicles. Delores Johnson / The National

It's silly to tow away dirty cars from residential car parks for which people pay (Abu Dhabi residents unhappy that 'dirty' cars are towed away while they're on holiday, October 3).

This is a dusty place and you cannot help cars getting dirty in a few days. What can car owners do when they leave on vacation other than leave their vehicles in a designated car park? The authorities are aware of this.

I also think that the fines are too harsh. On top of that, you will have to pay a large amount to have your car released.

Raj Parmar, Dubai

I wish the authorities had imposed similar fines on drivers who break traffic rules.

Name withheld by request

Abbas didn’t do the right thing

Why did Mahmoud Abbas have to attend Shimon Peres's funeral (Abbas attends funeral of former Israeli president Peres, October 1)?

Did he attend the funerals of Palestinians who died at the hands of Israel?

Yasser Alhamad, Dubai

Politics involves hypocrisy and compromises in order to achieve any gains, whether political or economic.

The question should be what were Mr Abbas’s objectives behind this gesture?

Is it a good gesture to initiate the North Star peace initiative that will end in Israel recognising the Palestinian state, or is it a step in the way to release blocked funds of the PA? There are so many things that happen behind the curtains.

Hany Adel Ghaith, Abu Dhabi

Safety inspection doesn’t work

Regarding the article Independent inspections key to preventing tower fires in UAE, say experts (September 24), I inspected our fire escapes one day and sent an email to our building manager. Nothing was done.

The lights and steps were broken. No one could have got past the stuff stored there. We moved.

Daniella How, Dubai

Education must be practical

I liked the idea of the cartoon programme initiated by the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (Cartoons to prepare pupils across UAE for disasters, September 27).

We need more such programmes that will involve and engage children in their learning process.

Those programmes should extend beyond teaching life skills and include things such as environment, animal welfare and so on.

I am a teacher and I think it’s irrelevant to lecture small children about the need to save water and protect the environment. Unless we teach them in a way that will make them think and motivate them to act, it’s going to be a waste of time for both children and teachers.

Educationalists should think about it and instead of increasing unnecessary pressure on teachers and students, which benefits none, they should focus on creating a model of education that’s more creative, practical and interesting.

Name withheld by request

Highlight risks of investment

In reference to the article How to Invest on Your Own (October 1) I was pleased to see you highlight the risk of taking up one of the long-term savings plans, commonly touted by financial advisors in this country.

I too was sold such a plan in 2007 with no explanation of excessive exit fees or high administration costs.

Please keep publishing this type of expose. You are doing a great service if you can prevent others from falling into this trap.

A Clarke, Abu Dhabi