All those who drive on this country's hectic roads will be familiar with the significant dangers they pose. Just yesterday a multiple vehicle collision on Sheikh Zayed Road caused lengthy delays to rush hour traffic. For many drivers, the prospect of jams and collisions are an inevitable part of braving the country's highways. According to government figures, there were 525 road deaths in the UAE last year, equivalent to about six in every 100,000 people and more than double the UK figure. Bad driving habits persist in this country, from overtaking without indicating to driving unsafe vehicles and using phones at the wheel. Last year authorities fined more than 5,000 drivers for exceeding speed limits by a staggering 80 kilometres per hour. Most of us will be familiar with the behaviour of such devil-may-care motorists who endanger themselves and those around them. Strides have been made by police forces across the country in recent years but what was missing were financial incentives for safer driving. With new insurance premium reductions for better drivers, that looks set to change. Thanks to regulations introduced earlier this year, drivers with clean records are entitled to policy discounts of between 10 and 20 per cent. This comprehensive strategy – one of carrot and stick – could make this country's roads far less nerve-racking to manoeuvre.
Reckless drivers are needlessly putting lives risk. Speeding accounts for about half the UAE's road deaths. In February Abu Dhabi police announced a buffer allowing motorists to exceed speed limits by 20kph will be phased out. Other laws penalising those who refuse to wear seatbelts – flouted by 7,500 people in Abu Dhabi over a period of two months in 2017 – have been used as the stick with financial penalties. Meanwhile as The National reported, more than 800 drivers were caught driving without a licence last year, many of them children. Dangerous drivers will always try to skirt the rules but a combination of deterrent measures and fines coupled with financial incentives could transform the behaviour of road users, as long as they are properly monitored and implemented by both authorities and insurance companies. That will pay dividends for all concerned in the long run.
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Power: 110 horsepower
Torque: 147Nm
Price: From Dh59,700
On sale: now
'Midnights'
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Ticket prices
- Golden circle - Dh995
- Floor Standing - Dh495
- Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
- Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
- Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
- Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
- Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
- Upper Bowl standard - Dh295
The biog
Mission to Seafarers is one of the largest port-based welfare operators in the world.
It provided services to around 200 ports across 50 countries.
They also provide port chaplains to help them deliver professional welfare services.
The biog
Name: Fareed Lafta
Age: 40
From: Baghdad, Iraq
Mission: Promote world peace
Favourite poet: Al Mutanabbi
Role models: His parents
Essentials
The flights
Etihad (etihad.ae) and flydubai (flydubai.com) fly direct to Baku three times a week from Dh1,250 return, including taxes.
The stay
A seven-night “Fundamental Detox” programme at the Chenot Palace (chenotpalace.com/en) costs from €3,000 (Dh13,197) per person, including taxes, accommodation, 3 medical consultations, 2 nutritional consultations, a detox diet, a body composition analysis, a bio-energetic check-up, four Chenot bio-energetic treatments, six Chenot energetic massages, six hydro-aromatherapy treatments, six phyto-mud treatments, six hydro-jet treatments and access to the gym, indoor pool, sauna and steam room. Additional tests and treatments cost extra.
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
The details
Heard It in a Past Life
Maggie Rogers
(Capital Records)
3/5
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
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Breast cancer in men: the facts
1) Breast cancer is men is rare but can develop rapidly. It usually occurs in those over the ages of 60, but can occasionally affect younger men.
2) Symptoms can include a lump, discharge, swollen glands or a rash.
3) People with a history of cancer in the family can be more susceptible.
4) Treatments include surgery and chemotherapy but early diagnosis is the key.
5) Anyone concerned is urged to contact their doctor
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
MATCH STATS
Wolves 0
Aston Villa 1 (El Ghazi 90 4' pen)
Red cards: Joao Moutinho (Wolves); Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa)
Man of the match: Emi Martinez (Aston Villa)
Company%20profile
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A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
- 2018: Formal work begins
- November 2021: First 17 volumes launched
- November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
- October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
- November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
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Squid Game season two
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Villains
Queens of the Stone Age
Matador
Company%20Profile
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The specs: 2019 BMW X4
Price, base / as tested: Dh276,675 / Dh346,800
Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged in-line six-cylinder
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 354hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm @ 1,550rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 9.0L / 100km
In numbers
1,000 tonnes of waste collected daily:
- 800 tonnes converted into alternative fuel
- 150 tonnes to landfill
- 50 tonnes sold as scrap metal
800 tonnes of RDF replaces 500 tonnes of coal
Two conveyor lines treat more than 350,000 tonnes of waste per year
25 staff on site
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
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