Lean towards public transport
The solution is very easy (“Speed limit dropped on Dubai’s Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed and Emirates Roads”, Gulf News, September 13). People should invest more in public transportation and stop driving. The more people use buses and trains, the less cars will be on the roads, which will cause less traffic. Generally, it’s cheaper to use the bus and Metro from the area of Mirdif all the way to Jebel Ali. Not only do you save some money, but you also play a big role in helping the environment. Less fuel per person is consumed if everyone uses public transport.
From Ms Fahmi Sack
UAE
Facebook comment
Drivers need better skills
The issue here is that most people who are given licenses, don’t really know how to drive. Drivers don’t apply the brake at a blind spot and even near roundabouts. They don’t know when to slow down and when to drive fast. Sometimes, when I see the way people drive in Dubai, I am afraid to enter the road.
From Mr Olaniyan Oldimeji
UAE
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Reckless driving
Being a driver and a resident of Dubai, I think this act will increase more traffic. It will reduce accidents, but the speed is not the major cause of accidents, reckless driving is.
From Mr S. Hamza
Dubai
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Not sure
I’m not very sure. This morning while driving to work on Shaikh Mohammad bin Zayed Road, a driver in almost smashed into my car. He was driving at a minimum 140kmph speed, or more, and the car appeared so suddenly, if I had not moved into another lane, I would be dead by now.
From Ms Natalia Dzubenko
UAE
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Tailgating is a big problem
I think that there should be bigger fines for tailgating! It’s one of the major problems on the roads. Also, delivery guys on motorbikes and commercial truck drivers really ignore all the rules by the Roads and Transport Authority. A few weeks ago, I saw a delivery bike hit a car and taking advantage of the fact that the vehicle driver was trapped by heavy traffic, the delivery bike escaped! Unfortunately, I didn’t have a chance to see the number plate, otherwise I would have reported him to the police.
From Ms Natalia Mirza
Dubai
Leave earlier
The new speed limits will help reduce fatalities. However, it won’t reduce the number of accidents. The biggest cause or accidents is tailgating. People have bad driving manners and will physically try to push people out of the way. If someone is in a hurry, either they should start early or take a helicopter. Blaming other people if you are delayed just shows how insensitive and rude people are.
From Ms Anamitra Roy
Dubai
Facebook comment
Fast lane for overtaking
This is just one fact. I encounter heavy vehicles driving all over the road and they do create a lot of congestion during the peak hours, when drivers tend to cut in from lanes to avoid getting stuck behind slow drivers. My understanding is that people are very aggressive on the roads and have no ethics. If you are not capable or are not confident you shouldn’t be driving and endangering others. You will find tailgaters mostly only in the extreme left lane. This lane is only for people to use when you want to overtake, so when you want to drive at your own pace, you should move into a different lane and let those in a rush drive ahead. This way you wouldn’t put your life in danger.
From Ms Shashi Desilva
UAE
Facebook comment
Negligance
Mobile phones are the contributing factors to accidents. The way new drivers are on the phone texting is scary. Suddenly they will realise that they need to exit while being in the first or second lane, and while crossing, there will be a pile-up of cars.
From Ms Lilian Ramogo
Iceland
Lack of experience
Accidents do not occur due to speeding, it occurs due to the lack of driving experience, confidence and control of the wheel. Reducing speed will cause more delay in time to reach office because of which people will drive more carelessly, and this will result in more accidents.
From Mr Ahsan Raza Abidi
Dubai
Facebook comment
Speed governor in cars
It would be better to maintain a police outpost every few kilometres to track reckless drivers. There should be a device in every car that transmits excess speeding directly to the authorities.
From Ms Lex Castaneda Bebelone
Dubai
Facebook comment
Police should be present
In an accident prone area, it would be better if a police car is always present. In this way, the drivers are much more careful and will not make mistakes.
From Mr Jonjon Zenitram
UAE
Facebook comment
Education is needed
Driving ethics can help reduce the number of accidents as well as the speed limit. Turning, giving way, and maintaining a safe distance can go a long way. Education is involved in everything. Apart from that speed reduction definitely reduces the cause of accidents.
From Mr Arsalan Sharif
Dubai
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