This is an official response to Peter Hellyer's article High-tech gadgetry can be bad for your blood pressure (October 11). Abu Dhabi's parking control and management system is intended to ensure maximum use of road spaces for pedestrians, cyclists as well as moving and stationary vehicles.
The introduction of the system in October 2009 has led to improving road safety, eliminating illegal parking activities, improving traffic flow particularly in inner sector roads and significantly increasing the availability of spaces for use by residents, businesses and visitors.
In most cases, the lack of adequate parking was caused by the fact that many businesses and individuals had used the public roads as storage for their vehicles. The road space is designed for moving vehicles and in certain locations for short- or long-term parking.
Abu Dhabi's paid-parking scheme focuses on resolving the unacceptable and inconsiderate parking behaviour, improving road safety and eliminating congestion often caused by irresponsible parking behaviour.
In locations that currently do not experience parking problems, the aim is to prevent the occupation of those parking spaces at the expense of residents and visitors.
The fees were designed to deter illegal and irresponsible parking behaviour; this has been very effective in gaining and maintaining high compliance with parking regulations.
Mawaqif has increased spaces available for public use by constructing additional surface parking in sectors where land is available, utilising road widths while considering road safety standards and re-routing inner sector roads' traffic flow. In Khalidiya, for example, the company added 1,500 parking spaces and increased available spaces to 5,025.
Department of Transport in Abu Dhabi www.dot.abudhabi.ae
Egypt's generals have unclear role
The point Faisal Al Yafai made in his opinion article A revolution rolls on, leaving Egypt's old guard irrelevant (November 29) was very important. The army now runs Egypt and wants to continue running it. It is only a government of the people that can stop them. Too many people have been hurt in Tahrir Square and they are only calling for their legitimate rights.
It is time for Egypt to move on from army rule.
Jeffrey Heal, Cairo
I want to disagree with the article. We have to look at the particular conditions of each country and the conditions in Egypt today are not like other Arab countries.
The army has an important role to play in keeping liberal Egyptians from being overwhelmed by more radical parties.
If the army leaves and a civilian government takes over, that government will be made up mainly of the Muslim Brotherhood.
This would be a disaster for Egypt. It is only the army that can guarantee that will not happen.
Mustafa Ezzat, Dubai
Honour killing not an Islamic issue
I found the headline on Muslim 'honour' attacks in Britain called 'shocking' (December 4) sensationalist. In Islam, there is no such concept. It is more of a cultural phenomenon. It is a clear problem in some communities but the problem cannot be linked to Islam.
In the Indo-Pak subcontinent, this is a cultural phenomenon. It is found among Hindus and Sikhs as well. To highlight it as a Muslim problem is a bit unfair.
Linking so-called "honour" killings to Islam is a bald claim that should have been avoided.
It would have been more fruitful if an Islamic scholar provided proofs (from the various religious texts, etc) against such acts and thus people can be educated in this regard.
Hassan Mallu, Abu Dhabi
Drinking at work illegal everywhere
No drunken behaviour in classroom or any other work place would be acceptable in Europe (Teacher under investigation for drunkenness, November 29). So why did this teacher feel she didn't have to obey the law of the land? Name withheld by request
Child bride stories harm reputation
I refer to the article Popular Turkish soap opera tackles issue of child brides (December 4).
The story of an underage girl from a poor family in Anatolia who is married off to a 70-year-old man is child abuse, sex slavery and human trafficking in the 21st century.
It made me sad and angry. How can a human being not express herself and act according to her own will?
Turkey tries to be a member of European Union but it shows that it is not qualified and has a long way to go before being a part of Europe. Maybe it will never be.
Jin Smith, Abu Dhabi
