Parents ignore child-safety rules

A reader wonders why parents consciously ignore child-safety rules. Other topics: speed reduction, Ramadan, property agents, child soldiers, health care, water projects

A reader says most parents are aware of how to keep their children safe. Fatima Al Marzooqi / The National

I think most parents are aware of how to keep their children safe (Abu Dhabi parents insist on car seat for daughter, June 29). They prefer to allow them to climb around the car giggling than hear them crying strapped into a car seat. That's bad parenting.

James Fildes, Dubai

Speed reduction alone will not help curb accidents

This refers to the article UAE police are considering a reduction in speed buffer (June 30). I'd like to see people actually pulled over by the police for tailgating, speeding and for not using their indicators when they change lanes. That, along with education, would be a great asset to increasing compliance with the traffic laws.

Michelle Kennedy, Abu Dhabi

Compelling drivers to keep a safe distance between cars would be more effective. Most of the drivers on Sheikh Zayed Road keep a two-inch gap.

Brett Pearson, Abu Dhabi

We should look at Germany, where people drive without any speed limit on some parts of their highways. It’s the mindset.

Mohamed Naeem, Abu Dhabi

It’s called discipline. It starts at a very young age and carries on through one’s lifetime. It doesn’t have to be taught at a particular time. It’s not the responsibility of professors to teach discipline to an individual when he or she reaches 18.

Knowing what is right and what is not must start early, not late. So education and stricter police patrols are needed in the UAE.

Name withheld by request

Ramadan is all about humility

This is in response to Hala Khalaf’s column For parents, Ramadan is a test of values that are passed down (June 30). I would like to assert that an aspiration even loftier than revving children’s excitement about the holy month is to achieve the level of humility and critical self-awareness that the writer expresses with clever humour. Keep it up, sister, and may God guide all who are not too stubborn to accept their own faults as mere stepping stones.

Umm Yusef, Al Ain

Property agents are disappointing

Dubai's property agents are some of the most unpunctual and unprofessional hustling agents I have ever had the misfortune of doing business with (Dubai property brokers must pass Rera test to renew licence, June 30). The vast majority of them appear to know nothing about property.

I moved to Dubai recently and had an absolute nightmare dealing with some property agents there until I finally found someone who actually knew what he was doing. I feel sorry for people moving here and looking for an apartment.

Mohamd Turk, Dubai

Will new hospital boost health care?

I refer to the story Inside Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi: 5,500 doctors apply for 175 positions (June 30). I wish we had more focus on original medicine (I like the term better than alternative) and kept modern medicine for emergency purposes only. We have got too far from nature.

Sharene Abushaaban, Abu Dhabi

The UAE probably has one of the highest rates of prescribing antibiotics in the world. That’s perhaps because many doctors have no idea how to treat patients.

But doctors who come from the US have a tendency to treat the symptom rather than the illness.

All of my relatives in the US take prescription medicine everyday for non-serious illnesses. They are probably taught to “cure” everything with drugs.

Ahmed Chohan, Dubai

Sending children to war inhumane

I am commenting on Shadi Ghanim’s cartoon showing how children are increasingly being used in war (June 30).

This is terribly sad. Indeed, children are being recruited by Al Qaeda and Taliban, and possibly ISIL. It’s sad that these children will never be able to enjoy their childhood. They should be having fun, going to school, living in a world where they are protected. Instead, they are increasingly being recruited and brainwashed by Islamist extremists. The world has gone mad.

Brigitte von Bulow, Abu Dhabi

Water project a boon for Afghans

It is heartening to know about the campaign to provide clean drinking water to five million people in Asia and Africa (UAE Suqia: donations generate Dh60 million for campaign, June 30). Afghanistan will be one of the beneficiaries. I thank all the people of the UAE for this, especially Sheikh Mohammed and the entire Ruling family on behalf of my country, Afghanistan.

Haseeb Ahmedi, Dubai