ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Tuesday, May 26th 2015 [ME NewsWire]

The Traffic and Patrols Directorate of the Abu Dhabi Police recently held a coordination meeting with strategic partners in order to discuss the dangers of using counterfeit or expired tires. The strategic partners involved in the meeting included representatives from tire companies, the Abu Dhabi Department of Transport, the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (QCC), and the Department of Economic Development.

Throughout the meeting, the Directorate warned motorists against using expired or counterfeit tires, citing that as the temperatures rise, faulty tires are like ticking time bombs.

Colonel Hamad Nasser Al Bloushi Head of Peripheral Regions Traffic Department at Abu Dhabi Police stressed the dangers of using counterfeit or expired tires that do not meet the certified standards in vehicles. He reiterated the importance of providing the maximum safety requirements to all motorists and road users in Abu Dhabi. He suggested that this can be achieved through “coordinative efforts to raise the level of awareness amongst drivers regarding the importance of using the appropriate tires. One way would be to educate motorists about the available information imprinted on the tires alongside the ways to distinguish between good and bad qualities of tires.”

Col. Al Bloushi highlighted the importance of finding an effective method that includes every relevant authority in monitoring and calibrating the tires according to their technical specifications; this includes excluding tires that do not meet the certified standards from sellers, and to present cohesive recommendations and regulations to ensure tire safety.  He also urged motorists to check the air pressure and integrity of all their vehicle’s tires, including the spare tire.

“The Abu Dhabi Police are exerting tremendous efforts and intensifying traffic control and community outreach in order to reduce the use of unfit tires that do not meet the standards. As per the Federal Law No. (21) of 1995, violators will be punished with a fine of Dhs 200 and vehicle impoundment for a week,” he said.

During the meeting, Col. Al Bloushi reviewed the necessary information that drivers should be aware of with partners. Before purchasing tires, drivers should be aware of how to inspect tires prior to buying, and to ensure that they have not been affected by heat or humidity – as this increases the dangers of a tire burst and subsequently leads to accidents. After purchasing tires, he said that drivers should be aware of the following: the manufacturing date and date of expiry after installation (6 months for trucks and 2 years for light vehicles); the importance of changing an expired tire; and the proper ways to store tires.

Col. Al Bloushi revealed that the Directorate is launching an awareness campaign in the coming period in cooperation with the strategic partners; and will target truck drivers, road users, and drivers in public and private sectors. The campaign serves to educate the community on the dangers of using unfit or expired tires, which could explode due to the high temperatures during summer, and the increased traffic and travel between cities and neighboring countries.

“Drivers should always ensure the integrity of their tires by inspecting them. Should they notice any cracks, or that the tires have expired, they should exchange the tires for new ones. When purchasing or exchanging tires, always use tires of good quality - ones that meet the certified standards. These simple procedures are for the driver’s safety, and help to avoid accidents that are caused by exploding tires,” he said. He continued to urge drivers to follow the proper instructions in ensuring the safety of the tires and by checking their manufacturing date. He also said to verify that the correct size of tires is used and to be aware of the size of the load the vehicle is transporting, and what temperatures the tires endure.

He urged the motorists who drive for long distances - especially during this time of year with the high temperature- to ensure that the tires on their vehicles are suitable for such long trips. He requested that they do not leave the damaged tires on the main road after they have burst or have been changed, because they are an obstruction on the road that may cause traffic accidents due to drivers trying to avoid them - especially on highways.

For more information about:

The Ministry of Interior, please click HERE

Abu Dhabi Police, please click HERE

Follow us and check our Social Media feeds on: YouTube, Facebook and Twitter

The Arabic-language text of this announcement is the official, authoritative version. Translations are provided as an accommodation only, and should be cross-referenced with the Arabic-language text, which is the only version of the text intended to have legal effect.

Contacts

The UAE Minister of Interior's General Secretariat, Tactical Affairs and Security Media Department

Abu Dhabi Police GHQ - Security Media

Chris Cron +971-(0)-50-987-1317

E-mail: cron.media@hotmail.com

Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/14715/en