Dubai: To bolster road safety in Dubai, commercial truck drivers will have access to free full mechanical tests for their vehicles, said Dubai Police on Sunday.
Drivers will also be offered free medical tests for a week in the truck resting area in Al Aweer, before the campaign moves to other areas in the emirate.
The mobile check-up unit is part of the ‘Truck Drivers Campaign — Safety on the Road’, launched by Dubai Traffic Police, The Roads and Transport Authourity, Dubai Municipality and Total on Sunday.
“We launched the campaign because we saw an increase in the number of accidents and fatalities caused by trucks in the last period. Many trucks are not suitable for use [on] roads and others do not comply with safety and security conditions because of lack of maintenance. Some drivers have illnesses that they are unaware of, and that is why we will also be offering free blood tests,” Colonel Saif Muhair Al Mazroui, Director of Dubai Traffic Police, said.
He said that the campaign will continue until the summer and that the unit will be moved to different locations frequented by trucks. He added: “We will not be issuing any fines to anyone who voluntarily comes to have his vehicle checked.”
“This campaign is to spread awareness as accidents involving heavy vehicles and trucks are five times as bad as accidents involving lightvehicles,” he said.
Medical tests offered include blood pressure, blood sugar levels, Body Mass Index (BMI), and general consultation.
“A month ago a Pakistani driver died of natural causes when he was driving his truck. There might have been an underlying untreated medical condition,” he said.
In 2015, Dubai Traffic Police issued 38,110 fines to drivers light and heavy trucks for different violations, a decrease from 77,292 fines in 2014. In 2015, there were 74 accidents resulting in 13 deaths involving heavy trucks, and 97 accidents resulting in 17 deaths involving light trucks. In 2014, there were 97 accidents resulting in 18 deaths involving heavy trucks and 105 accidents resulting in 13 accidents involving light trucks.
The unit will continue the campaign at the Fruit and Vegetable Market in Al Aweer for a week between 9am and 5pm. Drivers that visit the tent will also receive a goodie bag containing a fluorescent safety jacket, goggles, a flashlight, gloves and noise-reducing headphones.
There are brochures in five languages available at the unit. Awareness lectures will also be held.
Ahmad Hashem Behroozian, CEO of RTA’s Licensing Agency, said that the truck is tested on 150 points, of which 37 are main points.
“On average, trucks usually have five violations. The test checks things like the brakes, the tyres, exhaust emissions and other safety requirements,” he said.
In 2015, the most common truck violation was that it was not fit for the road, followed by worn-out tyres and excess load.
David Kalife, managing director of Total Marketing Middle East, said, “At Total, we care about the safety of not only our own employees, but the community as a whole. We are proud to be working side-by-side with Dubai Police to launch this important step in the ongoing campaign to improve safety on our roads.”
