Drivers from West are not among worst

Readers discuss whether some western expatriates holding international licences require to take a driving test here. OTher topics: Dubai property, TV viewing, drones

Readers debate experts’ view that some expatriates holding international licences should take a full driving test to ensure they are safe drivers. Lee Hoagland / The National

The opinion that expatriates holding international licences should take a full driving test to ensure that they are safe drivers does not make any sense to me (UAE residents with international licences should take local driving tests, experts say, April 28).

I have never been tailgated or been a victim of any other bad road behaviour by expatriates. On the contrary, they’re very polite and always give way. All my life I have been tailgated and flashed at by Arab drivers. I am sure many would agree with me.

AmmarYasser Habib Al Redha, Abu Dhabi

This will only enable driving schools to make more money from the mandatory 20 lessons. And who are these experts? Where’s data analytics to back up their argument?

Surely to come to that conclusion they would have data from accident rates by ethnic groups.

John Pravalos, Dubai

In my opinion based on experience, it is the US, UK, Canadian, and Australian expatriates who need to teach others how to drive.

Anita Welch, Abu Dhabi

Everyone can have the knowledge and skills to drive safely, but that isn’t helpful if they don’t use them.

Casey N Corley, Abu Dhabi

The driving test or class would not even come close to the standard of driving in the United States, so why would I need to take it?

James Matthew, Abu Dhabi

I would happily do it, but it’s another way to tax expatriates. The worst drivers I see everyday are not western.

Dinky Dani Lapin, Abu Dhabi

Regarding the story Young drivers responsible for most car accident deaths since January (April 27), I have only one comment to make: you reap what you sow. Driving schools are far below the standard of the asking price and the results are obvious.

No measure of prevention on the road can make up for being taught in a bad way.

Valeriu Victor Stanciu-Crainic, Dubai

Dubai property is overpriced

One of the rarest things in Dubai (strangely) are luxury apartments (Dubai rents fall fastest in prime areas as jobs market weakens, April 27). A large number of them have plumbing, electrical and noise problems with leaking window seals, terrible parking and out-of-touch landlords who think just because their investment is in Dubai, it is automatically in the "luxury" sector.

The whole property-rental sector is badly (and artificially) overpriced in order to line the pockets of agents and landlords and to give the false impression that you are somehow living somewhere extra special because you pay ridiculously high rents.

Giles Heaton, Dubai

Perhaps they should update the outdated Rera index. Average rents are unrealistic and only protect the landlord.

Martin O Keeffe, Dubai

A question over film downloads

Are the outrageous numbers cited in the article TV networks aim to stop piracy on World Intellectual Property Day (April 27) as lost revenue –Dh1,150 trillion globally, Dh4 billion in Mena – based on the assumption that everyone who downloaded a film, for example, would otherwise buy the same if it weren't available through peer-to-peer channels?

Jeffrey Martin, Dubai

Surprising move over drones

To be totally honest, I am extremely surprised that flying drones over Dubai is at all permissible considering that this society makes so much effort preserve individual privacy (Dubai sets out zones for drones, April 26).

How can this be achieved now when most drone enthusiasts use cameras to record the drone’s journey?

Name withheld by request