Abu Dhabi road safety campaign warns against dangers of tired tyres

ABU DHABI // Worn-out tyres are the focus of an inspection campaign launched by the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council.

The initiative, which began on August 9 and runs until the 20th, aims to ensure the safety of vehicle owners and road users. Tyre blowouts are considered a major cause of traffic accidents in the UAE, especially during the summer months when roads are exceedingly hot.

As part of the campaign, QCC inspectors will check the fitness of new and retreaded tyres traded in the Abu Dhabi market and inspect their compliance with relevant technical standards and safety requirements.

Mohammed Helal Al Balooshi, marketing and communications director at QCC, said: “The tyre inspection campaign articulates QCC’s priority to prevent accidents caused by flawed and substandard tyres that are prone to bursting at high temperatures. In following such stringent norms, QCC aims to ensure that the highest safety measures are followed in the storage and handling of tyres traded in Abu Dhabi markets.”

The number of accidents caused by burst tyres is on the increase, according to figures from the Ministry of Interior’s traffic coordination department last month.

Nineteen accidents were caused by blowouts during the first quarter of this year, compared with 15 during the same period last year. Five people died as a result.

Abu Dhabi Police lodged 7,603 offences against motorists for using defective tyres in January and February.