I refer to After Twitter, is Turkey's government blocking Google? (March 22).
Since when did it become Twitter’s business to block messages disliked by those in government or to protect government officials from the people?
Indeed, quite the opposite: Twitter connects and protects the people.
George Kafantaris, Dubai
Bad habits cause car accidents
I am writing in reference to Reduce speed limit buffer on UAE roads, experts urge (March 22).
These “experts” always go on about reducing speed limits further, to the point where soon we will all be driving at exactly the same speed – and that really will be dangerous.
It is very rare that speed alone causes accidents. The following points are of more consequence:
The use of hand-held phones while driving, including texting.
Mirrors and indicators not being used.
Drivers pushing in at the front of queues.
Children moving around freely inside cars and even sitting on the driver’s lap.
Drivers sliding their cars into whichever lane gets them five metres ahead at traffic lights regardless of their destination.
School buses, trucks and slow-drivers using the fast lane.
The design of roads where the entry to a major road is just before the exit.
Window tints so dark that you cannot see out let alone in.
Cars in the fast lane of a five- or six-lane motorway travelling at 110kph, forcing other drivers to undertake.
Zaki Anderson, Dubai
The speed-limit buffer should be set at 10kph.
The reality is that people in the UAE do not realise that driving is a privilege, not a right.
There is too much dependency on radar. In California, there is the highway patrol, and the mere presence of these police officers slows down traffic and encourages safer driving. We need something similar here.
The lack of safe and defensive driving will continue until there is more driver education and real enforcement.
Jerry, Dubai
Migrant workers’ families need aid
The National has often addressed the challenges faced by migrants and has published articles acknowledging their contributions to countries supplying and importing migrant workers.
The magnitude of remittances that flow across the globe through money sent home by migrant workers has significant implications for the economy.
A number of humanitarian activists, including some UAE leaders, have called for the strengthening of legal instruments to protect the rights of migrant workers and prevent their exploitation and abuse.
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has been formed to promote humane and orderly migration by providing advice and services to governments and migrants.
IOM works to help ensure the orderly and humane management of migration, to promote international cooperation on migration issues, to assist in the search for practical solutions to migration problems and to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants in need, be they refugees, displaced persons or other uprooted people.
The UAE and a number of other GCC countries have been active in supporting and even initiating regional and global interventions for protection of women and children of migrant workers.
Perhaps the UAE could also take the lead in forming a regional/global forum to address the stresses and pains of family members of migrant workers.
Baquer Namazi, Dubai
Debris find may lead to closure
I hope the debris found in the southern Indian Ocean does belong to the missing Malaysian aircraft (Cargo pallet, belts sighted in ocean as hunt for missing MH370 ramps up, March 23).
This will not only bring an end to a long search and rescue mission but also make it easier for the relatives of the passengers to accept the truth and the fate of their loved ones.
Fatima Suhail, Sharjah
The online picture gallery of the Royal Rose Hotel (Abu Dhabi welcomes hotel styled like 17th century French palace, March 22) is interesting.
It looks like a Disney version of a 19th century chateau.
M Grantham, Al Ain
