Uber is always a good option

Readers debate the viability of the recent call over child safety in cars. Other topics: special needs children, drug problem, Uber

Readers hope for the resumption of Uber service. Photo courtesy Uber

In reference to the article Uber has transformed the Middle East (September 3), from my weekly nightclub to home, a smelly taxi ride costs Dh50. A nice Uber limousine costs Dh56. Great service at a great price.

Patrick Schelfhout, Dubai

I hope Uber service returns soon. It’s good to have some competition in the market.

Jase White, Dubai

Please liberalise taxi transport as was done with petrol prices.

Guglielmo Molteni, Dubai

Debate on the move over child car seat

It makes sense to allow people to photograph unrestrained children in cars and send those images to the police (Police call on UAE residents to photograph children not buckled up in cars, September 4).

Instead of spending millions of dirhams on cars for a police fleet, spend that money on campaigns to educate drivers on all forms of safety and driver etiquette. Make roads safer for everyone, including pedestrians.

John Paravalos, Dubai

Stand at the entrance road of any school area before or after school hours and you’ll be very busy taking pictures.

Hans Borst, Dubai

It’s a good thing, but it’s illegal to photograph someone without permission. How does this work?

Pauline Redding, Dubai

If the child-seat rule was enforced, it would not have come to this stage.

Kate Breese, Dubai

It’s up to the police to enforce these rules. Asking the public to do so is a recipe for trouble.

James Holmes, Dubai

Much to do for the disabled

I agree with the opinion that many experienced people in this country are trying to find a proper job in an area where development is urgently needed (Reform ought to include special needs children, September 1).

I worked as director general of a mental healthcare organisation in my country. I believe there is a lot to do here to even meet the standards of Europe and America in terms of special-needs care.

It is sad that the full potential of professionals is not used to the benefit of the country.

It is easy to utilise the experience and expertise of those who have worked in this field in countries that attach utmost importance to the disabled. Why not work together to meet that level?

Christina Toebast, Dubai

Drug awareness drive neeed

We need to conduct drug awareness campaigns, not simply preach to children (Two school pupils in Abu Dhabi turn themselves in to authorities for drug addiction, September 2).

Young people need to be aware of the repercussions of drug abuse. You cannot make them realise just by telling them that drugs are bad and that they might go to jail for drug abuse. They need to understand what drugs do to the human body, as well as the negative impact they have on one’s personal, social and professional life.

It’s strange that adult scenes and bad words are edited out of movies and television shows here, but images of people taking drugs are not. This makes no sense. People are incredibly influenced by media these days.

Tanya Milbourne, Abu Dhabi

This is a timely reminder as schools have just opened. Even though this country is safe and we have relatively few worries as we raise our children, we still need to be vigilant.

This hit home for me. I have boys who are almost as old as these two brothers. It reminds me that talking to them about drugs isn’t a one-time conversation. We need to remind our children over and over about the dangers and keep wary eyes on them.

I pray for this family. I hope they will find the help they so desperately need and come out of this stronger.

Feda Jarad, Abu Dhabi