Tailgate fines are just one part of improving safety

Readers discuss where tailgate-detection cameras will help improve road safety. Other topics: Prince Alwaleed, BBC radio, outrage index and European heat.

Can tailgating cameras and speed cameras, above, help prevent accidents? Sammy Dallal / The National

With regard to your news story, Dubai tailgaters beware, cameras to catch you are activated today (July 1), I would like to know what happens when, inevitably, someone cuts into the five-metre gap you have dutifully created, thereby meaning you are no longer five metres from the car in front?

One of the primary causes of tailgating is when poor drivers cut into spaces good drivers have left as a safe stopping distance. That, and people who think they are so special and entitled that their time is more precious than everyone elses’.

Simon Buckerfield, Abu Dhabi

Are the police able to explain how they will know when a car merges into the gap left by another driver, causing the driver to slow down further to recreate the gap – but not in time for the radar to detect it?

I can see the potential for this intervention to actually create more rear-end accidents here rather than less.

I wonder how much research and testing went into this before implementation

Jim Buckingham, Abu Dhabi

I think this would work best if combined with education about lane control. One cause of tailgating is driving slowly in the outside lane when the other lanes are empty.

If they moved over to the empty, slower lanes, as they are supposed to, people who are driving at 120-140 kph wouldn’t tailgate them to get them to move.

Ryan O'Donnell, Abu Dhabi

Heartening act from Alwaleed

It is great to read that the Saudi Prince Alwaleed has pledged his wealth to be used for charitable causes (Saudi's Prince Alwaleed pledges entire $32bn fortune to charity, July 1).

It is heartening to see the rich give a part of their wealth towards the welfare of the less privileged. It is important that we understand that all the wealth we earn and other materialistic possessions will remain here after we depart from this world.

It is wise to put this wealth towards good causes that will continue to earn us prayers and praises long after we are gone.

Fatima Suhail, Sharjah

I don’t know much about this man but I would like to highlight that a pledge is not a donation. Organisations cannot run on pledged money – it doesn’t exist.

Let the media write articles about real donations – that’s much more commendable.

My own opinion is that a true philanthropist would simply act and say nothing

Treasa Ni Mhaolmhuaidh, Abu Dhabi

I believe a portion of this money should go into researching how to make renewable energy more cost effective and efficient, as well as on food and water security and on education.

Randall Mohammed, Dubai

Call for the return of BBC

The removal of the BBC World Service in English from the FM airwaves is a disaster (BBC World Service to cease broadcasting in Abu Dhabi, June 23).

Every English speaker I know listens to it every day on their car radio or at home.

The National, as the pre-eminent English language newspaper in the UAE, should campaign without delay to have this important news service re-instated.

I hope other readers will send a deluge of emails in support of this idea.

David Willis, Abu Dhabi

Uninformed and ranting online

With regard to your article about how social media makes it easier for people to express their outrage (The outrage index is rising – and we are all to blame, July 1), my view is that the outrage has probably always been there.

People are still ill-informed but the difference now is that they have multiple platforms with which to demonstrate their ignorance.

Dave Pryce, Dubai

The lack of media literacy is often taken advantage of by organisations and some will believe what they read or hear, even if it is not factually supported.

Anyone with access to social media can instantly give a poorly informed opinion, knowing at least one person might agree. Where does it end?

April Tarman, Dubai

European heat wave is fleeting

With regard to your article, Europe is not so cool this summer (July 1), you ask if the heat waves Europe has been experiencing are causing some of us to rethink our travel plans for the summer.

I’d like to point out that it is still cooler than here and it’s not like their heat wave will last.

Carol Goodey, Abu Dhabi