The fact that nearly one in four vehicles in Dubai failed the annual inspection test highlights the degree of negligence by motorists who fail to keep their set of wheels road worthy. The 2015 figures provided by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) are revealing: 1.7 million vehicles were tested for road worthiness across 29 centres in Dubai when the number of vehicles registered in Dubai is 1.5 million. This suggests that the remaining numbers either failed the test or were exported. More revealing is the break-up of factors that make the vehicles unsafe on roads. Damaged chassis accounted for the largest portion (36.6 per cent) while defective wheels, axles, tyres, suspension systems, visibility problems and lighting issues comprised the rest.
All of this points to two things; one good and the other not. The good news is that RTA’s increasing stringency and centralised inspection system is ensuring that non-road worthy vehicles stay off the roads. Apart from looking into advanced technical standards of vehicle inspections, RTA has also enhanced inspector competency. The impending electronic linkage between dealers, testing centres and the RTA, and the upcoming grading of vehicle workshops will further tighten the net on recalcitrant motorists.
The bad news is that the lackadaisical attitude of motorists can lead to potentially dangerous consequences not just for themselves but also for other road users. Failing an inspection test, or waiting until the last minute to fix their vehicle, many times at a non-certified workshop, in order to pass the test, are forms of indiscipline that can have negative consequences.
While the RTA is doing everything it can to keep the roads safe, the onus of ensuring road safety, inarguably, is on the motorist.
