Should cars alert the police about excess speed?

Readers discuss how to make the roads safer. Other topics: Gems claims, old buildings and raid on counterfeiters.

Readers discuss whether there are alternatives to more police patrols on our roads. Courtesy RAK Police

With regard to your news story, Safety experts want to see more police on UAE roads (August 9), maybe it is time to consider requiring all vehicles on our roads to be fitted with automated speed-monitoring equipment, which will notify the police of excessive speeds.

When I was working recently in the UAE, the company vehicles I used were fitted with this automated speed-monitoring equipment, which reported back to the company when the vehicle was driven more than 10 kph over the local speed limit.

The use of such equipment could be tried first nationally in those vehicles where the driver has been in a speed-related accident or just simply driven too fast. Fines could be levied as a means of regulating the desire to speed on public roads.

Jim Barin, UK

I agree that there needs to be more police presence on the roads but there also needs to be a re-education programme implemented about how to drive safely.

While on holiday in Dubai I witnessed some “heart in the mouth” instances where my taxi driver was travelling at insane speeds, when if there was an emergency in front of us there is no way he could slow down in time.

Name withheld by request

I think road safety experts need to put a higher priority on making sure pedestrian crossings are safe for people to cross the roads. Just this week, I have had two near-misses on crossings.

Kim Marsh, Abu Dhabi

Gems allegation is ‘utter rubbish’

The allegation cited in your story, UAE parents defend Gems schools after claims they fund 'jihad' (August 9), is utter rubbish.

My son studied for six years at Gems Wellington International School in Dubai and, as a Muslim, it is compulsory that he did Islamic Studies as part of his curriculum. This involved two 50- minute lectures a week, using text books supplied by the UAE Government.

On many occasions during regular term updates with parents, I met with the teacher and his teachings centred mainly on educating students about religious and social tolerance, the true meaning of Islam and how to be a good Muslim.

My son always spoke highly of the teacher and especially his skills in keeping students captivated with stories about the Prophet Mohammed.

Name withheld by request

Your editorial (Allegation against Gems Education highlights serious side to crank conspiracies, August 10) posed the question of whether to ignore or try to correct these kind of distorted reports.

I believe the best strategy is to get the facts out there and set the record straight. Gems schools and the families whose children attend them should get together and make a video to show the world what Gems schools are really like.

Sarah Zahidi, Dubai

Our equivalent of Le Corbusier

In your editorial about 17 of Le Corbusier's concrete buildings getting Unesco World Heritage status (A concrete step in heritage, August 9), you asked if this should lead to a reassessment of some of our older buildings.

They should preserve old buildings in Dubai – that’s all Dubai has, because there are no historical sites to see.

If they knock down every old building and a build a shiny new one in its place then Dubai really will be like Disney World.

Name withheld by request

I believe that buildings such as Abu Dhabi’s bus station have value, although in that case not in its current location.

We should also bear in mind that preservation also requires strict schedules of high-quality maintenance.

Adel Hawari, Abu Dhabi

The amazing Cultural Foundation in Abu Dhabi is an obvious candidate for preservation.

Beatrice Rouzeau, Abu Dhabi

How much force is appropriate?

After watching your video, RAK Police raid villa being used to store fake luxury goods (August 10), I wonder why the police felt the need to break down the doors?

They are just counterfeiters. I’m sure if the police had knocked, they would’ve opened the door.

I don’t see the needs for guns to be drawn.

Sara Smith, Al Ain

Dramatic or not, I believe if you are dealing with a mafia then you need such force.

Mohammed Al Marzooqi, Dubai

Well done to the police. We need more of this.

Stan Amirhom, Abu Dhabi