Letters To The Editor 15/05

Death Corner

This is a plea to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to install traffic lights and a pedestrian crossing at what is possibly the most dangerous accident-prone blind spot in Dubai: right outside the compound where I live. It is where street no 57 meets Al Wasl Road – between the Falcon Centre and the Iranian Embassy. Here, traffic converges from four different directions including a U-turn and a very difficult corner, known to us as ‘Death Corner’.

Last Friday, there was an accident involving two cars in which three people were killed. One of my neighbours tried bravely to reach one of the cars to free the occupants but to no avail. Others watched helplessly as the people inside burned to death – a man and a woman with a little child on the lap of the parent. The emergency services arrived within 10-15 minutes but it was too late.

When will this stop? Not a week goes past without us hearing the squealing of brakes followed by the sickening thud of a crash, followed by the wailing of sirens.

I have lived here for seven years and, in that time, I believe the number of deaths on Death Corner must certainly be in double figures.

A family living in the compound on the opposite side of Al Wasl Road felt compelled to move out after someone crawled into their garage and died after a crash here.

The exterior wall of our watchman’s accommodation has been rebuilt several times following crashes and the road sign is regularly replaced following countless prangs in which the remains of crashed cars have landed centimetres from the bumper of my neighbours’ cars. We no longer try to hail taxis here because it is too dangerous.

The RTA may be reluctant to erect lights at this corner because there are lights and a crossing on the next block, but I believe that the need for proper traffic management on ‘our’ corner is even more pressing.

I request the RTA to review the traffic situation at this corner. Remove the trees and shrubs and take down the obstructive advertising signs to give drivers a clear view of the road.

Revolting attitude

Emergency personnel were still attending the scene an hour and a half after the crash and people were coming from far and wide to fulfil their ghoulish desire to stare. As I checked the street number to write this letter, a woman asked me if she could park her car in my driveway so that she could go and have a look at the carnage.

Georgie, Dubai

Editor’s note: As shown in the picture, the RTA has closed the U-turn on Al Wasl Road.

Welcome respite from rising rents

Your story about rents falling in parts of Dubai (Uneven Rent Fall) was an eye-opener. I had given up on hearing any such news. I don’t live in International City or Dubai Marina, nevertheless it was good news that rents have dropped in these places.

With so much construction going on, one was waiting for that moment when supply would outpace demand. And as you reported, it has happened albeit only in a few corners. But that is still a good turnaround. Even if the rents have dropped by just Dh500 – as in the case of International City – it is a very positive development. I only hope it becomes a trend that catches on.

But what is worth noting is that your figures are only about newly constructed residential areas. There is no mention of rent fluctuations in areas like Bur Dubai or Karama.

When will the day come when rents in these places begin to drop? I can’t wait.

Vimal, Dubai

Ray of hope

In your previous issue, I came across an article on fertility (Pregnant possibility). The article was very informative and I learnt of a new method to conceive a baby.

I don’t have a child so I want to see this doctor who, through your article, has shown me a ray of hope. Can you provide the contact details of Dr Husnia Gargash?

Thank you for publishing such an interesting article which can help a lot of childless women.

Suchana, Dubai

Editor’s note: You can contact Dr Husnia Gargash, Director, Dubai Gynaecology and Fertility Centre, at 04-334 4300

Reinventing horse power

The Naturmobil may seem like a step back in time but in this era of conservation, it seems like a very good invention.

As a horse owner, I do not see anything cruel as a lot is being done to create a horse-friendly environment to utilise the power of a horse. Great job, keep up the good work, Abdolhadi!

Dave, USA

Fuel issues

It’s a clever idea but hardly a transportation solution. Moreover, the animal needs ‘fuel’. And growing that fuel may detract from the amount of food that should be grown for humans.

Conscious Consumer, USA

What about animal rights?

The Naturmobil is not a good idea at all. No animal should be subjected to man-made technology that involves abuse and fear.

Animal Lover, Dubai

Put the horse before the cart

Nice idea, but isn’t it better to put the horse in front? No complex gearing to wear out, more cargo space, no horse manure on the floor and you can still put a weather cover over the horse. Most importantly, you can see if the horse is tired or having difficulty without taking your eyes off the road.

We have had this for centuries – it’s called a horse-drawn wagon.

Robert, USA

Cool idea, cool ride

I’d say Abdolhadi Mirhejazi is a genius! I’d like to ride in it. I probably will – Pittsburg, California, is not far from San Francisco.

He deserves respect and consideration and I love that science professors consider it a "scientific invention".

Impressed, USA

Beware, bumps ahead

A few problems with this invention:

1. Since the horse and people are inside an enclosed vehicle, the air quality will get bad very quickly once the horse relieves itself. I would not want to be inside the vehicle under those conditions.

2. Where is the average household going to store a horse necessary to operate the vehicle? Answer: They don’t have space. Therefore, this invention will only be applicable to the rich and businesses that already use horses in their daily activities.

3. If this vehicle really becomes popular and replaces vehicles on the road today, there will be much less demand for Gulf oil. I’m wondering how the Gulf supporters of this invention will feel about that.

Buckley, USA

What’s wrong here?

The first signs occurred a few weeks ago, the rumours have been there for a while. The section from Al Khail Road through Springs and Meadows will be an eight-lane track in a few months. The wonderful green vegetation along this road is already being uprooted; palm trees are being pulled out.

A fuel station is being built in the middle of a residential area, next to one of the most beautiful modern mosques I have seen in Dubai.

Dubai is doing it again. Once a residential area is developed and the people are settled, the harsh reality has to be faced. Our children, maids and housewives will no longer be able to cross the road to the local supermarket without risking their lives against speeding 4x4’s.

You ask yourself how long it will take before the headlights of a Porsche Cayenne will, unexpectedly, show up through your backyard wall because of an unexpected manoeuvre or an accident.

You ask yourself why you cannot open the door to your garden anymore in order not to let in the fumes and noise of the passing cars. Suddenly you realise nobody cares about you or how you live your life.

This is one concern; the other is the gradual disappearance of greenery. I enjoyed the ride along this road from the first day we arrived here; I enjoyed the palm trees and the colourful flowers at the intersection of the road and the roundabouts. How much more green has to disappear before your children will ask you, "What kind of a tree is that daddy? It looks like the shape of an island?"

George, Dubai

Yoga to the rescue

I love reading the yoga column and often practise what is advised by Dr Vishwas Chhabra. The postures are simple and the techniques are explained very lucidly.

I liked last week’s column in particular where he talked about the shoulder stand.

I tried it out and I must say I have noticed improvements as promised in the article. Not only does my hair seem to have become darker, but even my marital life has taken on a new glow.

I feel people should take up yoga to deal with ageing instead of resorting to cosmetic surgeries and other such measures.

I have now decided to devotedly practise yoga techniques explained in the column and I thank XPRESS for publishing such wonderfully informative articles which enhance our lifestyle.

Raghuvir, Sharjah

Rent spiral

Rent is going up all over Dubai. Even one-person cabins in villas – similar to portacabins used as temporary shelter at construction sites – are up for grabs at a monthly rental of Dh4,500. Rooms in dingy apartments in Deira and Satwa are now priced at Dh3,500 to even Dh6,000.

The municipality should do something about the landlords and middlemen who are primarily responsible for the skyrocketing rents. The situation is nearing crisis proportions.

Nearly Homeless, Bur Dubai

Beauty fixation

I read your Quick-Fix Remedies article and my attention zoomed in on the piece concerning dental reconstruction.

In the article, the process of aesthetic reconstruction is estimated to cost around Dh3,500. I’m a bit curious if the cost is real or bloated. Just the other night I saw a handbill being passed around near Deira Taxi Stand which urges people to have their teeth fixed with a brace for only Dh700.

Pearly White, Naif

The show must go on

I don’t know why they announce shows – only to cancel them (Jinxed show called off). Of late there has been a spate of cancelled shows: Mariah Carey is not showing up, nor is Fergie of Black-Eyed Peas. I pray they don’t cancel the Scorpion and Bon Jovi concerts. That would be a crime.

Sanjeev, Dubai

For everyone’s safety

The decision by Dubai Police to send errant motorists back to driving school is something to cheer about (Back to School). I can’t wait for the day when I get up in the morning and the newspaper headline screams, "1,000 reckless drivers sent back to driving school". That would be the day.

But excitement apart, it’s not as drastic a step as it might sound. Learners at driving institutes are cautious since they don’t want to fail a test; the problem begins once they leave the institutes. So, while there is no guarantee that the step will curb rash driving, I hope it might still act as a deterrent for many.

Mike, Jumeirah

Name and shame

I think the police should name and shame errant drivers. In a way they are all criminals – how are they better off than those who commit murder? The offenders’ photographs should be published in the manner pictures of criminals are published.

Rahul, Dubai

Fines are fine

At last the authorities are slapping fines on people who talk on their mobiles while driving. In some countries, authorities even confiscate the phones. Why not here?

The point is that no measure is strict enough when it comes to controlling misbehaviour on the road.

Dubai has seen too many road deaths and injuries. And no one is learning. Why?

Jimmy, Karama

A smile for the traveller

Personnel manning the Marhaba service counters at the Dubai airport should learn to welcome visitors with a smile.

Recently, my husband and I, along with a friend, had gone to the Dubai airport to receive my brother-in-law who was coming from the US.

When he came out of the terminal, he had a sorry tale to relate about the Marhaba service.

He said the lady at the counter was rude to him and refused to answer his queries.

It is sad that her countenance did not exude the spirit of the word Marhaba.

I request the Marhaba management to impart proper training to its staff on how to deal with people who have come from distant countries to see the beauty of Dubai.

Please teach your staff to smile – it does not cost a thing.

Angry Doll, Dubai