Dubai Police focus on tyres in summer safety campaign

Dubai: Dubai Police has urged land travellers to ensure that their cars and tyres are in good condition before embarking on their long trips, as part of its yearly summer road safety campaign.

The campaign, launched on May 30 under the slogan ‘Your car's safety is your safety', aims to spread awareness among people who travel to their homelands by car, Major General Mohammad Saif Al Zafein, Director of the Traffic Department, said.

"Many people are not aware how important tyres are, although tyres are considered responsible for 33 per cent of the vehicle's safety and bad tyres are the cause of most overturning accidents, especially during the summer when asphalt temperature can reach 70 to 80 degrees Celsius" Al Zafein said.
 
"Bursting tyres caused nine deaths and dozens of injuries in 2009, whereas in 2008 there were 22 incidents resulting in the death of five and 48 injuries," he said.

Trusted agencies

Al Zafein explained that tyres should always be bought from trusted agencies and must never be bought used or past their expiry date, even if they were unused.

"Another mistake drivers make is reducing air pressure in their tyres, thinking that it is safer while it is not. It also reduces the efficiency of the car," he said.

To this effect, the police, in cooperation with Bridgestone, has set up two check points at the last petrol stations on Shaikh Zayed Road and Hatta Road. Patrols at both locations will signal out loaded cars to get their tyres tested, and if necessary repaired or replaced.

"Travellers also tend to overload their cars, as we sometimes see cars loaded with luggage over three metres in height, which badly affects the balance of the car, especially on curves, and can easily cause it to overturn," Al Zafein said.

He pointed out that although the campaign's purpose is spreading awareness, if a car is found in bad condition, it will be taken off the road without hesitation.

"Last year, over 12,000 tickets were issued in Dubai for cars in bad condition, including worn-out tyres," he said.

Pointers: Things to check

Leader of the UAE Travellers Team Awad Bin Megren, who travelled 150,000 kilometres around the globe, said the main points to check before a road trip were the condition of the tyres, including the spare tyre, and the car's air-conditioning.

He also recommended keeping a first-aid kit in the car, especially if the passengers include children.

Are you travelling by car to another country this summer? Do you prepare yourself for the worst?