However long you've been in the UAE, you will have comments about the driving conditions. No matter how manic and lawless it was where you were driving before, you will have something negative to say about the driving here. Eventually, we mostly assimilate exactly the same reckless attitude just to make our lives easier or to fit in.
But my question is: how is it the country's fault? It's pretty much 100 per cent visibility all year round, at least 350 days of perfect driving conditions, perfectly engineered, pothole-free roads and clear signs at every turn and exit, yet we still drive like a bunch of careless, thoughtless and selfish idiots.
Must you speed up when someone indicates an intention to change into your lane? Or maybe you heard of a law forcing you to not let anyone out of a side road in front of you?
And which decency and sensibility school told you it's OK to drive at triple the speed limit, flashing people out of your way? Stopping regardless of where you are as soon as you see an accident on the side of the road is highly dangerous and may cause quite a few other accidents.
And why would you subject such beautiful, clean cities as well as your fellow citizens to some pretty disgusting littering habits while stopping at the traffic light?
I have been going on and on for many years now and I think it's time I did something about it. So I invite all you good decent citizens out there to take a stance with me and report to the police every wrong activity around you. As for you awful drivers, remember that these roads are for the good of the public and not a battleground.
Lina Tiblisi Shibak, Dubai
Getting used to new speed limits
In reference to the article Cameras ready for motorists who ignore new speed limits (January 2), I welcome the new road markings. It's true that it's easy to miss changes in speed limit. On my way back from Dubai on December 30 the camera right before the new Sheikh Zayed Bridge shocked me when it flashed at me even though I'd been using the cruise control and driving at the same speed from Dubai Marina. Apparently, it was set at a different speed (even lower than Dubai's already stringent limits). It was my first flash in three years of living in Abu Dhabi, and I thought it was extremely unfair as I've always followed speed limits.
Hossein Babaei, Abu Dhabi
The true meaning of education
The article Working is just the job for teenagers (January 5) described the provisions of a new law that allows youngsters to be employed at age 15. The point to remember is that education and employment are two wholly different things.
An education may really not be necessary for many types of jobs. Most shopkeepers, drivers, bakers, tailors, carpenters, blacksmiths, construction workers, nannies, craftsmen, maids, cooks (I could just go on and on) do not possess a university degree. One wouldn't need to learn advanced physics and complex mathematical concepts to bake bread or sew a khandoura, would one now? One could also be a master of astrophysics, yet be a homemaker or manage a shop.
So one does not need to get educated only because they "have" to. Having millions doesn't also mean that one doesn't have to get educated just because one never needs to work. An education builds up one's thoughts, actions and personality in addition to possible professional skills.
F Baasleim, Dubai
The rationale behind romance
The article E-books Kindle passion for ripping yarns (January 4) belittled romantic fiction. The author obviously knows nothing about the romance genre.
To lump all romance under the banner of "garbage" is truly idiotic. Has the author ever considered that perhaps romance readers are voracious consumers of books and maybe don't have room to store hundreds of volumes and know it is both greener and cheaper to buy e-books than paper?
Dara Edmondson, Dubai
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Since romance novels are the number one sellers and the only things continually showing gains in the publishing world even in this economy, Kindle, Amazon and other outlets are smart to sell them. People like romance novels, even if the author doesn't, and Kindle and Amazon like money. So in the end everyone is happy, except for people like the author, who are basing their opinions of strangers upon their reading material.
AJ Chase, Abu Dhabi
Another fee that could be reduced
I refer to Regulator: cost of call abroad 'is too high' (December 28). It's good to see the high cost of phone calls getting an airing. Western Union should also reconsider its fees for money transfers.
Phillip Bowler, Abu Dhabi
