Garage owner Hassan Al Aleeli says few drivers regularly check their vehicles. Antonie Robertson / The National
Garage owner Hassan Al Aleeli says few drivers regularly check their vehicles. Antonie Robertson / The National
Garage owner Hassan Al Aleeli says few drivers regularly check their vehicles. Antonie Robertson / The National
Garage owner Hassan Al Aleeli says few drivers regularly check their vehicles. Antonie Robertson / The National

Transport

Ajman Police launches campaign to ensure safety on the roads through proper vehicle maintenance.

Rezan Oueiti

July 31, 2015

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AJMAN // Motorists are risking accidents by driving poorly maintained vehicles, often with worn-out tyres that are prone to blowouts during the hot summer months.

Tyre failure occurs because of stress on the wheel, high speeds and heat over long distances. It is not uncommon in the UAE to see the remnants of burst tyres scattered across motorways.

As part of the Summer Without Accidents campaign launched by Ajman Police, motorists are asked to make sure their vehicles are roadworthy for the hottest time of the year, which includes making sure everything from engines and tyres to air conditioning is in good working order.

“All drivers have to change and check their car’s tyres and do maintenance for safety,” said Ahmed Ali Al Abdooli, director of roads and transport security at Ajman Police’s traffic department.

Traffic patrol officers will carry out inspections of vehicles to make sure they are safe to drive, with penalties handed out to the owners of vehicles with faulty, old or damaged tyres.

Hassan Alelee, the owner of Al Alelee Garage in Ajman, said many people pushed their cars to the limits because they could not afford the repairs or were not aware of safety guidelines.

“Most people come into my garage after the damage occurs to their cars,” said the Emirati, adding that fewer than half of the drivers he sees carry out regular checks of their vehicles, with the rest driving on expired tyres.

“People have to be aware of the importance of maintenance and changing tyres and have to know that there are many car pieces that age and need to be changed, not just water and oil.”

The minimum legal tread depth is 1.6mm for passenger car tyres. A tread-depth gauge or wear indicators can be used to estimate usage. Abu Dhabi police recorded 19 accidents caused by blown-out tyres during the first quarter last year. Five people died as a result. The emirate’s police also logged 7,603 offences against motorists for using defective tyres in January and February last year.

Emirati Mohamad Majed said he carries out maintenance only if his car is damaged and only occasionally checks for repairs.

“I don’t change the tyres of my car because any car I buy stays with me for only two years,” said the 40-year-old.

roueiti@thenational.ae

Road safetyAjmanTransportTechnology