Safer roads begin with the next generation

Readers discuss a road safety campaign headed by a young Emirati. Other topics: tower cladding, cost of living, exotic pets, Sharjah tragedy and Police Rolls Royce

Readers discuss how rising costs are balanced against quality of life. Sarah Dea/The National

I read your story (Young Emirati inventor becomes UAE's safety ambassador, March 10) and it sounds like a promising campaign.

However, when it comes to babies’ and toddlers’ car seats, I don’t thinkthey are being advertised sufficiently.

Even through the dark glass of some family cars, one often sees a young child standing up unrestrained.

If that car had to stop suddenly, what do you think would happen to the child?

Neil Phillipson, Dubai

Most children have already been taught such rules for years now.

Road safety is not just about things such as seat belts. Car seats for babies are also essential.

Aziza Al Busaidy, Dubai

What a lovely young man. It’s great to see people making an effort to help educate and enforce what we already know.

I wish him luck and hope he can make a difference. If even one person listened to his campaign that’s one life likely to be saved.

Deborah Spillari, Abu Dhabi

Cladding debate a worthy topic

It is great to get more understanding of the factors involved in the Dubai Marina fire (The Torch blaze reignites cladding concerns used for Dubai towers, March 9).

I think it becomes clear that insurance companies prefer to insure buildings with more fire retardant cladding. Hopefully, this message will filter through to developers and we will see more fire proof materials used going forward.

Name withheld by request

The cost – and quality – of life

With regard to your news story, High living costs force half of expats to consider leaving UAE (March 10) was spot on.

While we value the lifestyle the UAE provides and the services the government offers, all this comes with a very high cost of living. The list of high prices, which are going higher includes school tuition, rent and utility bills, to name just a few.

Yasser Gaber, Dubai

There are many other countries in this region to consider working in, but they are not as liberal as the UAE.

Moreover, my experience is that Emiratis are simply the best to live and work alongside compared to other people in Middle East.

I believe that’s the only factor that is keeping expatriate workers still in the UAE despite the struggle of making ends meet.

Mohammed Nawas, Abu Dhabi

I would advise everyone who is struggling with the rising costs of living to move to Al Ain, where you can live like a king on half the budget.

Patricia Cooksey, Al Ain

Exotic animals need extra care

As an animal lover, it was with great interest that I read your editorial (Ending ownership of exotic animals, March 10).

I can imagine why people would love owning exotic animals but I can’t help but think that it’s selfish. Unless, of course, the right habitat is provided.

Sadly, many promote and support individuals’ right to have exotic animals without promoting the relevant education about the animals’ well-being.

Noora Al Mulla, Abu Dhabi

I would like this law to be implemented in Dubai as well.

There are plenty of individuals here who own these kinds of animals, and proudly post pictures of them all over social media.

Mariam Karim, Dubai

Sharjah tragedy far too common

The incident in the news article, Boy, 4, dies after falling 19 floors (March 10), is yet another example of a tragedy that has occurred all too often in Sharjah. There were three cases in just the last two weeks.

Parents need to monitor their children. When they live in high-rise buildings, the authorities should ensure that windows are protected with proper safety grilles.

K Ragavan, India

Abu Dhabi Police find new rolls

After reading your story (Abu Dhabi Police add Rolls-Royce Phantom to fleet, March 10), I could only imagine this in a Blues Brothers' style car chase.

Name withheld by request

I would be tempted to let the police in Abu Dhabi catch me just to ride in this police car.

Mustafa El Kurdi, Lebanon