In relation to your news story, Disabled drivers want stronger penalties for unregistered users of designated parking (December 30), I would also like to see more penalties for people who double-park, who block entrances by waiting for people or dropping them off, and who park across spaces designed for multiple cars.
There is room for us all if we use our brains. When brain engagement is lacking, punishment is needed.
Samantha Attfield, Abu Dhabi
Do you know how many black points an unregistered users gets for parking in the handicapped parking spaces? It's only four. That is wrong and it needs to increase.
Apparently obedience is what many of us lack, so if we increase the fines, people will feel the pinch.
Mathew Litty, Dubai
I find it appalling that some people would rather take up parking for the handicapped than park in a normal bay and walk a few extra metres.
It just shows how ignorant some people are. It doesn't matter what their nationality is, or the car they drive or their social stature – unless they are allowed to park there, they should leave those bays for those who really need them.
Stacey Russell, Abu Dhabi
Left in the dark in Yas Mall
I was in Yas Mall when the lights went out (Power cut at Yas Mall leaves visitors in the dark, December 30) and the only thing that was really badly managed was there was absolutely no information about what was going on.
I guess people expected the lights to come back on within a few minutes. After waiting 40 minutes, we decided to leave the mall, along with hundreds of others, but we were not allowed to do so.
Security guards blocked the way to the parking areas and the security exits were locked. The only information given was just to wait and the reason was that there was no lighting in the parking areas and therefore they couldn't let us pass. Eventually they opened the emergency doors and let us leave.
Sabine Reisinger, Abu Dhabi
I was there and it was eerie, but what was worse was at Fun Works, it was in complete darkness with no emergency lighting visible.
I think it's outrageous that they are not compelled to have adequate emergency lighting in a place full of children.
Jacqueline Curran, Abu Dhabi
The inadequate emergency lighting around the exits was my only concern, because guiding three children down darkened escalators to the car park could have resulted in a fall.
Lisa Irwin, Abu Dhabi
Saudi should try tourism industry
With regard to your editorial about the kingdom reducing its subsidies, Saudi changes course on fuel (December 30), with the country facing a significant deficit this year and the price of oil at its lowest in a decade, it is about time that the government shifts its focus to non-oil ventures.
One of the ways in which it can help the economy is by developing tourism. It is also important for the government to cut down on other areas of expenditure.
Fatima Suhail, Sharjah
Sick turtles need expert care
I would like to applaud the crew featured in your story, Abu Dhabi ferry crew aid stricken turtle (December 30).
However, for those readers who only read the headline and might find a turtle facing similar problems, the important message is not to remove the barnacles yourself.
The barnacles are often symptomatic of underlying problems and it would be easy to unwittingly do more harm than good. They should take it to the Burj Al Arab turtle rehab centre instead.
Roxanne Whelan, Al Ain
‘Gimmicks’ do not solve issue
In relation to your editorial, Finding profit in ensuring a place for all (December 30), my view is that ensuring a supply of affordable housing is great.
But it needs to be exactly that. Too many of the developments offering affordable housing this year have done so to grab headlines and in reality, it is nothing more than a gimmick, with very limited supplies of properties in the lower price brackets.
This creates headlines as queues form when these properties are launched. Affordable housing needs to be exactly that, and not a sales or marketing gimmick.
Name withheld by request
