Is your vehicle's fuel tank a ticking bomb waiting to burst into flames on impact? Experts say fire is the greatest threat in auto collisions.
"Due to the extreme temperatures, you probably have not more than 20 seconds to escape from burning vehicles."
While the number of vehicles catching fire on impact has been statistically low in the UAE, there have been cases recently where motorists have been burned to death.
One unfortunate incident occurred on Al Ittihad Road which links Sharjah and Dubai. The motorist was hit from behind by a speeding vehicle whose driver was unaware that the traffic had slowed down ahead.
The impact was so strong that the car immediately burst into flames. It took a few minutes for the flames to destroy the vehicle, which went careening into other lanes, presumably with the driver dead at the wheel.
Another similar accident also occurred recently on this same highway between the two emirates.
"This happens because the fuel tank is not well protected," says a manager of a German brand of vehicle. He adds that such cases always seem to be restricted to smaller vehicles.
"Upmarket cars have a strong cage which provides additional protection on impact," he said.
"The front and rear parts of the chassis are collapsible." This apparently helps take the brunt of the collision.
Most car manufacturers also provide a shield around the fuel tank. "This is to ensure that the suspension or other components do not rupture the fuel tank."
An automotive expert says there are three very important concerns in such accidents to prevent the release of fuel, eliminate sources from where the gas can be inadvertently ignited and, lastly, isolate the motorist from flames, heat and toxic gas and provide an opportunity for escape.
The fuel flow is automatically cut off on impact in most fuel-injection vehicles today, says Frank Sweet, general manager, service, Al Futtaim Motors. Cars with carburettors do not have that facility.
"Cars exploding on impact is not common," he says but adds that may be the case here because the impacts are very, very severe due to the very high speeds.
He notes that some vehicles may be "played around" with during maintenance. It could also occur because some of the vehicles are older and poorly maintained.
Mechanics say that fuel injection engines require petrol to travel through fuel lines at high pressure. "Even a small rupture can result in a large amount of fuel escaping. And if the fuel pump does not shut off, then you are in for big trouble."
Asked whether some exporters are dumping unsafe vehicles in the market, a general manager of a dealership says that's unlikely as all cars imported here meet GCC specifications.
Sweet says all vehicles sold by dealers meet the specifications. The specifications are according to the Riyadh-based Saudi Arabian Standards Organisation.
"The manufacturers work with these specs, which are the stringent European and American ones, with the addition of local specifications."
"I can't talk about vehicles which are brought here and sold as single units."
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