Lorries pose grave danger

Readers call for more frequent spot-checks on lorries. Other topics: driving, sleep problems

Readers call for more frequent spot checks on lorries. Andrew Parsons / The National

I refer to the story More than half of lorries inspected in Dubai during six-month period had faults (September 17). This is an appalling statistic, but not a surprising one.

It is, at least, good to see the authorities are making the checks on lorries to determine their road worthiness, but firm action needs to be taken against the owners of the vehicles and not just the drivers.

As a frequent traveller on Dubai’s roads, I have witnessed so many accidents caused by lorries that are not fit to be on the road. The amount of tyre debris on the 611, 311 and E11 supports the findings of this report.

Many accidents are caused when drivers of other vehicles swerve to avoid tyre debris caused by lorries using worn out tyres. These accidents are entirely preventable.

More should be done to deter lorry drivers from taking to the roads with worn-out tyres. It is, after all, very easy to spot a worn out tyre.

F Pickthall, Dubai

In reference to your editorial Enforcement the key to lorry safety (September 18), in a typical environment everyone should take responsibility – the owner of the vehicle, the operator, sponsor, driver and those who test the vehicles. But above all, it's enforcement that matters.

Simply providing good lorries does not guarantee safety.

Paul Glover, US

App statistics on driving will not alter reality

The story UAE ‘is sixth best place to drive’ among 38 countries (September 16) has made me laugh.

I have been hit three times in five years of driving in this country. In 28 years of driving in the US, I was hit three times and caused one accident. The highways are great, but drivers are not.

Beverly Newell, Dubai

Please don’t report these warped statistics. They improve nothing and do nothing.

Muzammil Sk, Dubai

I’m going to believe the World Health Organisation over some app.

You simply can’t compare the UAE to countries that have extremely tough driving tests to pass and rigorous enforcement of traffic laws.

Emma Schlegel, Dubai

I’m glad that I had good training in driving in Italy and Egypt. It allows me to survive here. You really need to be fast and crazy to survive on UAE’s roads.

Gianmaria Vidale, Dubai

There seems to be a company that is trying to drive business to its app by seeking attention any way it can.

On the one hand, you have the World Health Organisation giving us facts on the basis of real data collected from different countries, while on the other hand you have a newly established company using “waziness” as one of its key “factual” inputs.

Bernard O'Sullivan, Dubai

The roads in the UAE are fine, but highly dangerous driving is endemic. Worst of all, it is tolerated and traffic laws are not adequately enforced.

Douglas Brown, UK

These stats are primed to look good for sure. The key would be in asking which 38 countries were surveyed?

If the UAE was compared against countries such as India and Egypt, the stats would look that way. Living here for a few years now and having experienced the mad driving, I have to concur with the WHO findings and not Waze.

Febin Christopher, Dubai

Sleep problem affects children

In reference to the report Sleep problems often at core of wider health problems, experts say (September 17), more attention needs to be paid to children with this condition.

If an adult human cannot function properly with apnoea, how can you expect a child to do so?

Beverly Newell, Abu Dhabi