Street adverts have their place but not all over

Readers discuss street adverts. Other topics: safety cameras, aid groups, animal welfare and construction.

Readers discuss the safety implications of putting cameras on lorries. Photo courtesy of Samsung

I am writing regarding your editorial about street adverts (Putting notices on notice, February 15). Advertisements and notices that are pasted randomly onto building facades, light poles, lifts and even bus stops or walls are definitely unpleasant to the eye.

They are viewed as litter instead of serving their actual purpose to inform and raise awareness. These notices are only beneficial as long as they are posted on bulletin boards or noticeboards inside hypermarkets or other places that are meant for such ads.

If they were posted in the right places, the ads would reach their target audiences without causing inconvenience to others. People posting such notices must act responsibly.

Fatima Suhail, Sharjah

These adverts are good and serve a purpose for working people who are looking for a new job or a cheap rental or a bachelors flat.

That said, the adverts must be regulated because there are too many of them around the city. They should be placed in authorised areas and have clear contact numbers so that the people behind them can be held responsible for their adverts.

I think it would be great for the municipality to find and reserve a place for adverts in bus stations, parks and malls.

Kennedy Prakash, Dubai

Cameras on lorries are smart

I found your report about overtaking cameras on lorries fascinating (UAE road experts divided on logistics of overtaking cameras on lorries, February 15).

I think these screens are a brilliant idea and not just for overtaking. With cars in front, you can see what’s happening on the road ahead and anticipate. If, 10 cars ahead, traffic starts braking, you can simply take your foot off the accelerator and slow down. This saves wear on the car, saves fuel, saves the planet, and it's more comfortable – what's not to like? But if you have a solid wall of lorry in front of you, you can't see that and so have to brake when the lorry does. These screens would make our roads safer.

Ben Adamson, Dubai

I'd like to see these screens on the road for a different reason. Lorries block out all the road signs because of their height such that when I'm driving in an unfamiliar area, it is easy to miss important turns.

The rule of thumb in the UK is, if you can't see both the lorry driver's mirrors when you are behind it, he definitely can't see you! That rule should be enforced in the UAE as well so that our roads are safer.

Sarah Bhaji, Abu Dhabi

Time to support aid groups

I am writing in strong support of aid groups for Syria (UAE-backed Syria aid group hard at work rebuilding amid conflict, February 15).

The work this local group is doing is amazing and needed at this moment in Syria.

While everyone is writing negative things and showing only the horrible disasters in Syria and Middle East, some wise people are not falling for that picture. Instead, they are risking their lives, rebuilding all that has been destroyed.

It is this type of courage that we need at this time and I hope that governments around the world take note.

Brigitte von Bulow, Abu Dhabi

Animal safety laws are needed

It is sad that animals aren’t being treated correctly by some people. I believe that the Government can take a leading role in designing new laws to protect animals rights. Having new laws in place would help end the problem of abandoned pets.

Name withheld by request

Safety first in buildings

Regarding your business report (Most fire-resistant panels still being ignored for UAE towers despite spate of blazes, February 15), proper business planning in any industry begins with resilience and loss prevention.

When it comes to building construction, we must think beyond the material damage and business interruption and give the occupants the highest priority for protection.

It’s about looking at the entire structure and implementing loss prevention measures at the design stage.

It’s only a matter of time until the insurers say “sorry we can't carry your insurance because your risk is too high” or there is a caveat built into the policy that says fire-rated cladding must be installed.

Randall Mohammed, Dubai