UAE | Traffic and Transport

Four die in accidents caused by tyre blow-outs this year

Abu Dhabi Police warn of penalties to drivers if poor quality equipment used.

  • WAM
  • Published: 14:49 July 10, 2009
  • Gulf News

Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Police confiscated 2,750 light and heavy vehicles in the last two weeks for putting lives at risk by using unsafe tyres.

Colonel Hamad Adel Al Shamsi, Director of Traffic and Patrol at Abu Dhabi Police, said that the majority of vehicles impounded were running on worn-out tyres.

Vehicle owners who buy cheap tyres of poor quality are putting their lives in danger, he added.

Many tyre sellers are not controlled by any monitoring authority and the sale of used tyres has become common practice. Many such tyres may already be expired or are poorly manufactured with low standards, Al Shamsi said.

Accidents caused by blowouts during the first half of this year caused four deaths and seven serious injuries. In those accidents 39 people also sustained light to moderate injuries, Al Shamsi added.

He also called for the integration of efforts by all departments to put an end to the use of reused or expired tyres, and to inspect the locations where these tyres are stored to make sure they are kept in locations that will not damage them.

Bad storage facilities damage tyres and crack their surface, thus leading to accidents when used.

Al Shamsi said that any car using bad and expired tyres will be fined Dh200, and impounded for a week.

Heavy trucks using expired and bad tyres will be impounded for a week and fined Dh500, and six traffic points will be imposed on heavy vehicle drivers.

He also emphasised that the traffic awareness campaign will continue to reach all community members under the theme the Safety of Tyres. Abu Dhabi Police also identified 12 physical reasons for tyres to burst on roads, pointing out the way to avoid such situations and the way to choose appropriate tyres to safeguard the UAE's human resources, economy and development.

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