I want to comment on the incidence of reckless driving in the UAE (Time to focus attention on minibus drivers, October 13).
I am sick of the poor standard. Driving a car is not a game, where you can just restart after an accident.
My stepmother was killed a week ago because of a bus driver going over the speed limit. She was 36 years old and the kindest soul you could ever meet.
I think many drivers here are over-confident and have no empathy or moral consideration for their fellow motorists.
I now have one fewer parent, and I have to get used to waking up in the middle of the night because of my father’s sobbing – because some overworked and underpaid person decided to shorten his shift by pressing hard on the accelerator of a three-tonne vehicle.
Somebody needs to speak up about this. This issue is not new; there are many mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters who have had their lives shortened because of inconsiderate and selfish people who think that they’re in The Fast and the Furious. Name withheld on request
With regard to minibuses, I think the authorities should fix the root problem: poor driving and a lack of enforcement on the roads.
A minibus may be less durable in a crash than a full-sized bus, but wouldn’t it be better to prevent the crash altogether rather than ban a type of vehicle?
Andrew Newman, Abu Dhabi
I am surprised to see drivers who think they can overtake on whichever side they feel like, as if every lane is the overtaking lane (There is no such thing as a fast lane, October 11).
An overtaking lane rule would work well if the second-to-left lane became an express lane.
For that to happen, the authorities would need to enforce left-side overtaking only and fine people for lane-hogging.
R Balit, Dubai
Mobile data costs are prohibitive
In recent months, many UAE government departments have started releasing mobile apps to enhance their services, such as payments for utilities and parking. However, not everybody can benefit from these apps because of the high data costs imposed by telecoms operators.
Even a plan with just 1GB of data monthly is expensive. I think the telecom operators should lower their data charges, offering 1GB for less than Dh20.
Without cheaper plans, many apps released by the government and others will be of no use to the general public.
Shabir Zainuden, Abu Dhabi
A call for some quiet in cinemas
I refer to the ongoing discussion about talking and other bad behaviour at the cinema (Reel distractions, October 10).
I just saw the Indian movie Haider, and during the screening somebody had to shout out: “Can you please keep quiet?”
This was only the second time I had seen a film in this part of the world.
Huzaifa Rasheed, Dubai
The problem in cinemas is not restricted to the constant sounds of mobile phones going off or someone talking to their friends.
In Al Ain, I see small children being taken into films that are restricted to 15+ or 18+. Apart from the fact that the cinema staff should not allow them to enter, what are the parents thinking?
Wendy Dickson, Al Ain
The thing that I can’t fathom is why people would walk into a movie 15 minutes after it starts, casually carrying popcorn and soft drinks and talking to one another.
Going to the theatre and seeing a nice, low-budget, independent movie in a quiet environment is what I miss most about living in the United States.
I miss it even more than Mexican food.
Michael Davis, Dubai
Airports must take Ebola precautions
I am responding to your online story, Abu Dhabi and Dubai airports have no plans for Ebola screening (October 13).
I think there needs to be a screening area to carry out infection-control practices. Our airports should be ready to isolate any passenger who is suspected of being infected with Ebola.
Maria Padilla, Dubai
Chef deserves every success
I was pleased to read about the star-studded opening of Australian chef Greg Malouf's latest venture, Clé Dubai (Michelin-starred chef opens restaurant amid bevy of celebrities, October 11).
Greg is a legend.
Tom Arnel, Dubai