Safety First

‘Safety First’ mantra – Gulf Today – Short Take – Dt 18 January 2014

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‘Safety First’ mantra
The year 2014 for the UAE literally began with a big bang when Dubai created history with one of the most exhilarating fireworks display ever witnessed in recent times. It took great effort and lots of dedicated man-hours to achieve the fantastic feat.
Meanwhile, the Chinese year of the Horse has already gained momentum and we are already into its third week within no time.
Promoting safety is one aspect I have been concentrating on for sometime now — especially road safety.
Whichever way one tries to educate people, it is careless minds and actions that spoil all the good work, which is very sad. However, our focus should not be derailed and efforts to maintain safety should continue with sustained interest and dedication.
The recent accident on Abu Dhabi-Al Ain Highway is a case in point. If only sufficient caution had been exercised by those on the road at the time, the accident – which was one of the most serious on the emirate’s roads — could have been averted.
The other day, I was overtaken by a minibus, whose speed limit is supposed to be 80kmph, while I was cruising along at just below that speed. Seeing that I was not inclined to accelerate, he began gesticulating and shouting at me. I gave him way and he sped past at a much higher speed than permitted.
I allowed him to overtake me in order to note down the details of his transport company so as to alert them about his driving style.
After a signal, when I finally caught up with him, by way of mocking at me to slow down, he began indicating to me the presence of a speed camera that was installed ahead.
The incident reinforces my belief that there will be no escape from tragedies till road users stop making mockery of traffic safety regulations.
Let “Safety First” remain our mantra for the benefit of all.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
To read it in original, please visit GULF TODAY online (Short Take – Gulf Today – Dt. 18 January 2014)

This entry was posted in Gulf Today, HSE, Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Opinion 2014, Road Safety, Safety First, Short Take.

Road safety is a matter for us all – Letters to the editor – The National Dt 14 January 2014

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Road safety is a matter for us all


Road safety is a matter for us all

I regularly drive between Abu Dhabi and Dubai and concur with the views expressed about road safety in the UAE (Offences show a fatal disregard for UAE traffic rules, January 7).
It all comes down to the attitude of drivers on our roads. It seems to me that it is always the same set of drivers who speed.
If you observe the traffic coming back from Abu Dhabi on Thursdays, or any normal day after 3pm, you will see many cars driving at a fast pace, bumper to bumper, with the drivers trying to bully their way past other vehicles.
The authorities should show no leniency towards anybody, as the rules are meant for the safety of everyone on the road.
The police and transport authorities should join forces with all government and private institutions to make sure that everybody understands and obeys the traffic rules.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
To read it in original, please visit THE NATIONAL online

This entry was posted in HSE, Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Opinion 2014, Road Safety, Safety First, The National.

UAE labourers seek shelter from the storm, but not from danger – Letters to the editor The National Dt 13 January 2013

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UAE labourers seek shelter from the storm, but not from danger


UAE labourers seek shelter from the storm, but not from danger
Letters to the Editor
January 12, 2014 Updated: January 12, 2014 17:17:00
Your coverage of the recent rainfall (In pictures: Rain sweeps across the UAE, January 8) was very good.
This is especially so for the one taken by Sarah Dea of a group of workers taking shelter under a parked bus on a construction site. This will stand out in my mind for a long time – mostly because it is scary from the point of view of health and safety.
What would have happened if the driver rushed to the vehicle and reversed it? This photo highlights the shortcomings in safety procedures that can be found on some work sites in the UAE.
I hope those involved in this site will take appropriate action about the hidden-danger aspect involved in such cases and prevent accidents of the kind that could have happened here through the casual approach towards safety demonstrated in the photograph.
Let our motto for 2014 be this one: Safety first.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi

To read it in original, visit THE NATIONAL online


This entry was posted in HSE, Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Opinion 2014, Safety First, The National.

Safety first – Short Take – Gulf Today Dt 28 December 2013

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 Safety first
The year 2013 just giving its way to a new year. It was a year of mixed fortune and feelings for many. Natural disasters beyond imagination that happened in Philippines and continuous man made calamities took several life known and unknown to us.
It was also an year of achievements and hope for many. Dubai getting Expo 2020 was one such great occasion, which all residents of the UAE are keenly looking forward to.
If there is a growth, it has to happen collectively and with all putting equal and combined effort. Road Safety is one important issue that I would wish everyone puts in a combined effort.
Let all of us decide to follow traffic rules strictly and do not show any road rage and do not violate pedestrian rules in the coming year. Let there be no man-made accident due to negligence. Safety first, let that be our motto for the year 2014

This entry was posted in Gulf Today, HSE, Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Opinion 2013, Safety First, Short Take.

Rein in the rage – Short Take – Gulf Today Dt. 04 January 2014

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To write or not, has always been a mind teaser within me. Expression of thoughts as it comes has been an unwinding process for a long time.
From small topics to bigger ones, by now, it has indeed given me lot of space on the Web. As also, several contributions to the community.
Earlier days, they used to repeatedly say pen is mightier than the sword. In a way, it is true even now.
One such achievement is the effort for continuous campaigns on pedestrian safety.
The media and authorities are devoting more attention to streamline things to make our roads much safer.
However, there are a few who ignore the basics and cause destruction to themselves and others.
New Year eve was one such occasion where I witnessed road rage by many, for no reason whatsoever.
Some cars were moving at unimaginable speed and coming too close to the bumper.
I was imagining a driver who was new on the road to get in between these mad minds.
More needs to be done to alert authorities and control this tendency and try and curb it as much as possible.
There is no rest for me till then. I will continue to write, using all possible platforms. That’s the resolution for 2014.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
Short Take : Gulf Today Dt. 04 January 2014

To read it in original, please visit Gulf Today online

This entry was posted in Gulf Today, HSE, Letters to the editor, Opinion 2014, Safety First, Short Take.

Abu Dhabi Police step up patrols in bid to stop drink driving during New Year celebrations – Letters to the editor

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Abu Dhabi Police step up patrols in bid to stop drink driving during New Year celebrations


 I am really happy that Abu Dhabi Police has been issuing notifications ahead of the New Year’s Eve, reminding drivers of the dangers of drink driving. Such road-safety campaigns should be sustained throughout the year. The National, along with the traffic police, has played an important role in the past to bring about an awareness on road safety through a series of campaigns. I urge The National to take road safety as one of its campaign themes for 2014. Together with traffic and community police departments in all emirates, a renewed traffic campaign should begin and that should continue with sustained interest throughout the year. Volunteers should also be encouraged to promote road and community safety among people. Thus, an alert group can be formed that can assist the police. Hotel employees, particularly security personnel, should be instructed not to allow a guest to drive away from their premises if they find he or she is under the influence of alcohol. Let “safety first” remain our motto in 2014. Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi To read the original article online, please visit The National online. To read this letter online, please visit The National online

This entry was posted in HSE, Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Opinion 2013, Safety First, The National.

Renovation work hurts commuters – Letters to the editor – The National Dt 19 December 2013

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Renovation work hurts commuters



Letters to the Editor – The National 19 December 2013
Read more:http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/feedback/renovation-work-hurts-commuters#ixzz2nsonKboH
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A series of road and pavement repair work being carried out in sector 73 in Khalidiya is causing major inconvenience to the public.

The entire area is marked for repair by the contracting company responsible for the project. They have also dug up the pavement and removed the bricks that have been stacked up randomly. It’s a posh residential area with a high concentration of high-rises, restaurants, banks and other commercial establishments. In normal times, before the repair work began, availability of parking spaces was limited. So one can imagine the inconvenience it has caused to residents and visitors. The pieces of bricks and concrete also pose a grave danger to children.

Apart from that, the lorries that keep plying in the area cause traffic chaos as there is limited space for vehicle movement.

I humbly request the civic authorities to facilitate convenient passage for residents and vehicles. That could have been done easily by marking smaller segments for renovation, instead of marking an entire sector. It can still be done.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi

Read more:http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/feedback/renovation-work-hurts-commuters#ixzz2nsohbda3
Follow us: @TheNationalUAE on Twitter | thenational.ae on Facebook

This entry was posted in Community Reports, HSE, Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Opinion 2013, Photo Speaks, Safety First, The National, TQM.

Parents urged not to drive with children on their laps

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Parents urged not to drive with children on their laps – My Letters – Gulf News Dt 31.01.2012

Dubai: Traffic officials have warned parents against driving with infants on their laps, as they are risking their child’s life by doing so, engineer Maitha Obaid Bin Udai, CEO of the Traffic and Roads Agency at the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), said yesterday.
As many as 13 infants were injured in traffic accidents last year, but the number has dropped considerably as compared to the year before.
 
Two fatalities
 
According to traffic accident statistics of 2011, a 35 per cent drop in the number of infants (between the age of 0 to 2) injured in accidents was recorded.

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While 20 infants were injured in traffic accidents in 2010, the number dropped to 13 in 2011, she said. Two infant fatalities were recorded in 2010 as well as in 2011.
RTA credited the drop in injuries to a Child Safety Programme, launched at Latifa Hospital and Dubai Hospital in 2009. Over 1,000 mothers are members of the programme.
  • 13: infants were hurt in road accidents in 2011
  • 20: infants were injured the previous year
My comments as follows:
Added15:33 January 31, 2012

This is a common scenario. I get to see and keep a controlled silence, because, I wonder, what they think about their own safety, their child’s safety, others who are in the car, and on the road at the same time with them. I really do not know. Women are not exemption. Last week, while driving on Shaikh Zayed Road, I watched with awe a woman, with a fully tinted four wheel drive speeding with her child on her lap (between the door and the seat) and even more, talking on the phone. God, save us, and reach us back home safe, that is the only prayer, I have, when I drive each time from Abu Dhabi to Dubai and back.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
To read it in original, please visit GULF NEWS Online

This entry was posted in Clicks and writes, Gulf News, HSE, Letters to the editor, Opinion 2012, Road Safety, Safety First.