Dear Sir,
The letter “Lessons in basic driving etiquette” (Gulf Times, October 6) raises an interesting subject. Drivers look for a parking lot right at the doorstep of their destinations because many of them don’t want to walk even a small distance these days.
This reluctance lead them to some audacious parking, often interrupting another vehicles’ exit or entry. The haphazard parking in some areas is worsened by the presence of some business centres and shopping centres there. 
If drivers park their vehicles a little further from their destinations and walk the distance to reach them, the types of parking menace we often see can be eliminated to some degree. 
Authorities concerned can help create awareness about traffic manners (especially parking etiquette).
Firstly, in order to create awareness with regard to “walking after parking the vehicle some distance away”, billboards promoting such messages should be installed in parking areas. 
Such type of messages spread by Aspire through their electronic-billboards installed in Aspire Park are appreciable. Others can emulate Aspire.
Secondly, traffic etiquette should form part of driving lessons. In driving tests, candidates should answer questions on the subject.
Finally, strong fines should be imposed on those who break traffic rules.

Rizvan Basheer
rizvanbas@yahoo.co.in


Potential safety hazard in taxis

Dear Sir,

I regularly travel by Karwa taxis in Doha. I have observed a potential safety hazard in most of the Karwa taxis which I wish to bring to the attention of the authorities concerned. I had written to Karwa in detail about this, along with photographs; however there has been no response yet.
Most of the Karwa taxis have an add-on GPS and metering module installed on the dashboard, which doesn’t seem to be a factory-fitted one. The cable connecting the GPS and metering module goes tightly over the passenger air bag panel (see picture). 
In the event of a crash, the passenger side airbag may not deploy properly because of this obstruction. This poses a serious safety hazard to the passenger sitting besides the driver. 
 
Anantha P Iyer
(Address supplied)