Road safety through better infrastructure

Readers discuss road safety. Other topics: Jetmen, UK citizenship, work balance and working hard

Readers discuss how infrastructure can improve pedestrian safety. Delores Johnson / The National

With regards to your report Drivers in UAE are 'selfish with no compassion', experts say (November 5), more traffic deaths these days are caused by thoughtless road crossing by pedestrians than these infamous cars and buses of various shapes and sizes. The frequent death and accidents taking place are acause of a serious concern for all people living here. Prompt and comprehensive steps are needed to curb this continuing problem.

However, we need to gauge why pedestrians are unsafe on the roads of Dubai. The most common reason is the swelling population and corresponding number of vehicles. We can’t arrest the march of the times as the number of vehicles will increase.

I feel the most crucial safety measure is the construction of more underpasses, which can act as a safe way to cross the roads. Furthermore, wide pavements exclusively for pedestrians can provide them much needed safety. They can use and cross roads safely without getting involved in unnecessary accidents.

Mathew Litty, Dubai

I do not live in the UAE but I do visit often on holidays. I always rent a car, and I drive through all emirates, including Fujairah and Abu Dhabi. I've never had any issues on the roads, although people do drive very fast.

Eugene Goldberg, Russia

Put your heart into your work

In reference to your profile of Dr Sawsan Al Madhi (Portrait of a Nation: Aim high and you will achieve, November 6), we can't ignore the fact that the UAE is a land of opportunities. The country has plenty to offer those who are focused, career-orientated, hardworking and passionate.

I agree with Dr Al Madhi that to give the best, one must develop interest and love for their role and job.

Anything done wholeheartedly is likely to fetch tremendous results. People have to appreciate where they are in life to be able to make progress later, which is much easier said than done.

Fatima Suhail, Sharjah

UK citizenship law is not new

It is a credit to The National to publish Dr HA Hellyer, whose views are divergent from the main editorial themes elsewhere in your paper. In his recent opinion The citizenship debate in the UK is a slippery slope (November 6), Dr Hellyer neglects to mention two key facts.

The first of which is somewhat uncomfortable. The vast majority of the perpetrators of extremist crimes in the UK come from the dual nationality community, as do the cohort of British citizens who travel to Syria to join ISIL.

There is a clear connection here, which the new proposals on removal of citizenship seeks to tackle. And secondly, it is now evident that British citizenship has been handed out too freely in the past, which again the new policy aims to rectify, albeit in arrears but only in specific cases.

The new counter-extremist policy isn't new at all it is merely reverting to sensible practice elsewhere.

Jonathan Campbell-James, Dubai

Modern careers demand all

With regards to your editorial Women's advance takes many steps (November 6) the issue of finding a balance between work and life remains something that affects everyone, not just women. In the current work environment, it is unclear if one can achieve the ideal balance that we are all chasing.

Finding a balance between work and life means you're treating your job as a hobby. Unfortunately, if you want a successful career, there is no balance, you just do what you need to do to get the work done. Clients won't be receptive if you say “I can't finish the project now I need to keep my life in balance”.

Chris Reid, Dubai

Jetmen pushed to the sky's limit

With regards to your video report (Jetman Dubai duo keep pace with an Emirates A380, November 5), it is clear that Dubai is the only city in the world capable of this feat and Emirates is the airline to do it. The video was mind-blowing!

Mohammed Naviwala, Dubai

I loved watching the video of the Jetmen. Watching the Emirates A380 was brilliant but I am worried that such a stunt was too dangerous. It seemed like a huge security risk for the plane.

Name withheld by request