Will new insurance policy be able to curb accidents?

A reader is sceptical about the effect higher insurance premiums will have on bad drivers. Other topics: driving, India, UK vote on Palestine, animal rescue, BeIn Sports

A reader expresses doubts whether higher insurance premiums would help curb bad driving practices, especially when many people deliberately incur thousands of dirhams in speeding fines. Lee Hoagland /Show more

I refer to your editorial Insurance move will reflect on road tolls (October 9). I hope this move will reduce accidents and improve road safety, but I am not keeping my expectations high because no measure has been able to change bad driving habits significantly in this country.

In the UAE, where people knowingly incur hundreds of thousands of dirhams in fines for speeding and other violations, there is a slim chance that an increase of a few hundred dirhams in annual insurance premium will prove to be a deterrent. Moreover, most of us do not keep such annual expenses in mind.

Abbas Naqvi, Dubai

Education needed to fix road issues

I refer to the article UAE drivers must know that there is no such thing as a fast lane (October 10). I'm surprised that right-hand overtaking was highlighted without delving into the reason why. How many times have we all seen cars in the two extreme left lanes used by drivers travelling under the speed limit when the far right lane is empty as far as the eyes can see.

You even see people merging onto the highway and heading straight for the left lanes when the right-hand lanes are empty. A simple rule used around the world is, keep right unless overtaking. It’s really not hard, but unlike other countries, there are no “keep right” signs and the rule is definitely not enforced.

Adam McEwan, Dubai

Some people here use the so-called overtaking lane for their entire journey, driving at up to 200kph and reducing it to 140kph when they see a camera.

Tessy Max, Dubai

Drivers should learn from Germany. Motorists in that country are disciplined with a great attitude on the road. Roads are not a playground.

Haniki Vosloo, Dubai

Maybe if there was more of a police presence on the roads, instead of just cameras, the laws would be enforced.

Andrew Newman, Dubai

I agree that it's bus drivers, not mini buses or big buses, that are most dangerous (Drivers of minivans pose bigger threats, October 13). I often see school buses stop in the middle of the road and in the curved junctions to drop off children, which puts their children's lives in danger. And also children in the buses dodn't wear belts.

J Smith, Abu Dhabi

India needs to set growth priorities

I agree with the views expressed in the editorial Modi's sanitation goal is achievable (October 1).

This may look ridiculous to many, but poor sanitation can become a hindrance to the country’s economic progress and efforts to improve public health.

Development is a process for which priorities must be set.

Name withheld by request

British MPs deserve praise

Now that the British Parliament has voted to recognise the state of Palestine notwithstanding the frantic efforts of the Conservative friends of Israel, it is time to call a halt to the disproportionate power of pressure groups acting for foreign interests (Palestine statehood vote puts pressure on UK policy, October 13). I salute all those MPs who voted for democracy, freedom and justice.

Anthony Bellchambers, UK

Animal rescue effort admirable

I refer to the story 'I just can't abandon my 160 dogs' (October 15). I love Amirah William, because she is a kind soul. I wish I could do something to help her.

Emma Borg, Dubai

We need more people like her. I pray that she gets the support she rightfully deserves.

Hind Saoud, Abu Dhabi

Soccer’s lost its English accent

I refer to the news report Etisalat tries to woo UAE customers into longer contracts (October 13). Since the football World Cup, there is no English-language commentary option on my BeIn Sports channels. I have tried to contact BeIn Sports and Etisalat, but there is no response. We are paying high amounts of money for our e-Life subscription. So we have the right to ask why Etisalat cannot provide English commentary on these channels. And if they can't, it should at least tell the customers to buy a BeIn Sports decoder.

Prashant Bahirwani, Dubai