Letters comment on traffic safety problems

Readers write in to speak up about the problems property investors face, the danger of speeding and what to do about it, and other subjects of current interest.

Cars speed on Shakboot Ibn Sultan Street in Al Ain even though there is clear warnings that the road uses radar.

Your story Torch buyers upset at changes (May 24) reports that Rahail Aslam, the chief executive officer of Select Group, says those complaining represent only a few buyers.

And he insisted that there was nothing egregious in the contract changes.

This statement leaves me simply incredulous.

Over 40 of us have taken legal advice and every single buyer without exception has been advised not to sign the addendum under any circumstances.

My wife and I are not rich. We both work as nurses, drive one 17- year-old car, and live in rented accommodation.

Our life savings are invested in a two-bedroom unit in the Torch. We simply cannot afford to pay anymore.

This project is now three years overdue and a completion certificate has not yet been issued.

Name withheld by request

Your article says that a group of buyers in the Torch, the world's tallest residential tower, have been told by Select Group that they will not get access to their apartments unless they agree to controversial changes to their contracts.

That is just the sort of problem which comes up too often for investors here. So many investors have been let down.

AW, Ras al Khaimah

Increase penalties for speeding

In your report 300,000 speeding fines issued in Al Ain in first four months of year (May 25), the head of traffic police in Al Ain described speeding drivers as suicidal.

I believe that Russian Roulette might be a more apt legal comparison.

But the problem is that when they kill themselves, speeders often take others with them.

It seems to me that attempted manslaughter would be a closer legal definition of what they are doing.

The question is why don't we punish the behaviour for what it is? Anything over 160 k/hr in the presence of other drivers on the motorway and you should go to jail for five to 10 years.

Then let's see if that stops it.

Donald Glass, Abu Dhabi

If drivers are reckless and fail to abide by the traffic laws, what to do? Over 5,000 people have been killed in road crashes in the UAE in the last 10 years, and speeding has been the main factor.

Authorities must reduce the posted and enforced speeds, educate drivers, introduce more traffic humps and, most importantly, strengthen black points along with fines for speeding.

Once a speeder accumulates 12 points, his licence must be suspended. Police and legal authorities must take concrete action.

Sumi Tiwari, Dubai

Time for Pakistan to kill the monster

I refer to Pakistan investigates naval base siege as embarrassment increases (May 24). There is ample proof that Pakistan has become the softest target of the terrorists. And yet some Pakistani leaders still advance conspiracy theories about foreign hands.

Pakistanis must now say "enough is enough". It is not too late to kill the monster of terrorism. To start we must stop searching for grievances and excuses for these enemies of humanity. They do not deserve any sympathy.

Muneer Ahmad, Abu Dhabi.

Wherever you're from, obey the law

Sadly some people think they are above the law whichever country they are from.

The two cases mentioned in your story Drive to educate Britons on law (May 25) involved sex in a public place and assault on a hotel worker. Both would also have been crimes in the UK and elsewhere.

Although it is obviously sad that a detainee died in police custody, the majority of expats understand, appreciate and obey the laws of the country.

It is a shame that the UK cannot show the same intolerance to offenders.

Roger Pettitt, Ras al Khaimah

Let's reassess the value of teachers

I am a teacher in a public tertiary institution in Abu Dhabi. The new contracts now being offered to staff are nowhere near the Dh20,000 per month mentioned in Amid the din of reform, teachers' voices are drowned out (May 22).

The top level is about Dh15,000 for someone with a master's degree or PhD and 10 years experience in industry or teaching. Most people are offered Dh12,000. For that, why bother teaching?

Dh20,000 plus a proper range of benefits would go some way to acknowledging the skills and training a teacher needs.

People don't work just for money, but also for job satisfaction. But job satisfaction is very low, due to the enormous barriers in place.

The whole education system needs a full evaluation to help us understand how to motivate professional teachers.

Name withheld by request