Road safety must be an Eid priority for all motorists

As the holiday season approaches, we must all be extra careful on the roads, a reader says. Other topics: dogs, peace and volunteering.

Mobile phone use presents a danger on the road, a reader says. WAM

I am appealing for people to focus on road safety over the upcoming Eid break. It is important for drivers to be more attentive to avoid accidents.

There are several common mistakes that road users commit that could potentially endanger their own lives as well as the lives of their passengers and other road users. The extensive use of mobile phones while driving is a critical issue. According to a recent survey, you are four times more likely to have an accident if you talk on a mobile phone while driving.

The advent of smartphones has further complicated the scenario. Emails and social-network notifications are now readily available on handsets, and many drivers are in too much of a hurry to read them.

Drivers must ask themselves whether answering a phone call or checking any notification is so important that it is worth risking their safety.

Drivers should also remember to allow enough braking distance between vehicles; monitor their speed, and to keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.

While enjoying your well-deserved holiday, you must also realise that there is someone waiting for you at home.

Ramachandran Nair, Oman

Bad drivers should face stiff penalties

Having read 38 workers injured in Sharjah bus crash (July 22), I think the police need to be tougher on bad drivers.

I drive between Dubai and Abu Dhabi almost every day and I see the most horrendous driving. It ranges from deliberately aggressive and dangerous to the plain ­oblivious – those drivers who pootle along in the second lane at 90 kph when two slow lanes are available.

This week saw a classic example in the fast lane, when somebody drove up to about 15 centimetres behind me, flashing their lights constantly.

Then the car in front braked all the way down to 100 kph for a speed camera and the driver behind had to swerve to avoid my car and just missed a vehicle in the next lane.

The reason people behave like this is because the chance of them being seen by anyone in authority is very slim. I very rarely see a police car on the road.

Given the country’s terrible road-death rates, I think the police force should be used more effectively.

S Sweeney, Dubai

Extremists don’t represent Islam

I refer to Mosul may mark a critical moment in the region's history (July 23), about Christians being forced to leave parts of Iraq.

The Islamic State does not only persecute Christians, but also ­other Muslims – Sunni and Shia alike.

It doesn’t matter to them; anyone who is against their ideology is persecuted. They are a bunch of rogue criminals who use Islam as a cover for their actions.

Ahmed Al Khamisi, Dubai

Volunteering is its own reward

I was pleased to read Group of Emirati volunteers distribute iftar meals to workers in Musaffah ­(July 24).

It is a very noble and thoughtful gesture to volunteer in this way. Those who give shall receive, and true power comes from helping the less fortunate in our society.

Randall Mohammed, Dubai

It is a nice thing to do for these people who work so hard.

However, we don’t have to wait until Ramadan to do such good deeds.

I wish we could see more young people getting involved with their communities.

Mariu Panneflek, Abu Dhabi

Article an insult to good pet owners

I was really shocked to read the opinion article I rarely hear a barking dog in the UAE and long may that situation continue (July 20), in which the writer presented a very anti-pet viewpoint.

I don’t own a dog, but I feel this article was unnecessarily insulting to many decent people.

Lucie Fonseca, Abu Dhabi

I am writing in response to Battered but not beaten, Hamas will not stop building tunnels (July 23).

War will only lead to more war. Both sides will have to agree to put down their weapons and negotiate a complete ceasefire. However, this must be done face-to-face, with no brokers, no western powers, just Israel speaking directly to the Palestinian Authority, Hamas and whoever else is in a leadership position.

Nelson Mandela was able to heal a nation, so too can Israel and Palestine.

Name withheld by request

I’m so glad that independent media, social-media campaigns and protests all around the world are finally making people open their eyes to the horror that is Gaza.

S Malik, Dubai