9 November 2009
An investor, Mumeen Abdallah, 25, is of the opinion that the rate of accidents is sure to increase. “When you are 16, all you think about is driving fast — you would want to know in how much time you can reach maximum speed,” said Abdallah.
Payroll administrator Mustafa Khair Allah, 28, said, “Teenagers here are spoiled and don’t know what hard work is. If they are permitted to drive, we’re going to see a bunch of fancy cars driving at (great speeds) off road,” said Khair Allah.
Auditor Nadine Baba, 26, said she got her driving licence last year and she still has to struggle while driving on Sheikh Zayed Road.
“It’s hard driving on the highway when there are trucks and buses speeding besides you. How is a person younger than 18 going to bear responsibility for passengers with him,” asked Baba.
Last week, the traffic authorities had floated a new initiative to lower the age of granting driving licence.
Mohammed Saif Al Zafin, director-general of the Department of Traffic, said it was wrong to believe that young drivers were the main cause of accidents.
“Drivers more than 50 years old caused eight deaths during the last three months of the current year, compared to 12 deaths in 2008,” said Al Zafin. University student Ahmed Nassar, 22, said it is not hard to learn how to drive and age shouldn’t matter. “I was driving before I got my licence. It’s difficult to find someone in your family to pick you up when it’s late and taxis are too expensive.”
Marketing executive Samir Shulgami, 31, said even with a licence his children will not be driving until they reach the age of 18.
“If the RTA allows them to get a driving licence at 16 I’ll let them get it, but they will not be driving on their own until past the age of 18,” said Shulgami. “It’s dangerous enough for adults to drive.”
