Friday, Jul 08, 2011
Gulf News
Dubai Checkpoints will be set up to prevent drivers leaving the UAE with dangerous tyres, according to a senior police official.
Major Saif Muhair Al Mazroui, Deputy Director of the Traffic Department at Dubai Police, said vehicles would be checked on the Al Sialaa border between Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia and the Hatta border between Dubai and Oman.
“All vehicles with old tyres will not be allowed to leave the country,” he said.
”Old or fake tyres are very dangerous on roads and people who are travelling long distances must follow all kinds of safety requisites.
“Safety on roads is not an option. It is a must and it is not compromised as protecting people’s lives on the roads is our duty and not abiding by safety on the roads is punishable.”
Campaign
Al Mazroui said the Dubai Police Traffic Department is part of a UAE-wide campaign under the slogan “do not end your life in a traffic accident”.
Tyre-maker Michelin is also part of the campaign.
Figures show 19 accidents resulting in seven deaths in 2009 could be attributed to burst tyres.
Twelve accidents claimed five lives in 2010.
“We have seen on the borders people travelling with overloaded luggage on top of their vehicle,” he said.
“People want to travel with old vehicles with no air-conditioning in the car and many children on board and the tyres are very old and the car is overloaded.”
Those vehicles deemed dangerous will not be allowed to cross the border.
A representative from Michelin warned fake tyres are beig sold in the UAE, particularly in Sharjah, where the general public prosecutor is aware of the issue.
Legitimate tyres should have the Gulf Standard mark.
Al Mazroui also warned companies owning vehicles would be shut down if they were discovered to be using old tyres.
Individuals found with old tyres would be fined Dh200 and have their car impounded for a week.
“This will be implemented even on people travelling within borders,” Al Mazroui said.
The new policy was announced yesterday at a press conference held at the headquarters of the Dubai Police Traffic Department.
By Bassma Al Jandaly?Senior Reporter
Gulf News 2011. All rights reserved.
