According to the Ministry of Interior (MOI), 22 accidents in the UAE last year were caused by tyre explosions.
Abu Dhabi had the highest number of these incidents, with 13 accidents, followed by Dubai with four, Ras Al Khaimah with three, and one each in Sharjah and Fujairah, Khaleej Times reported.
With summer temperatures rising, the Abu Dhabi Police are urging drivers to check their tyres regularly. High heat increases the risk of tyre blowouts, making regular maintenance essential. This advice comes as part of their ‘safe summer’ and ‘accident-free summer’ campaigns.
Drivers are encouraged to inspect their vehicles periodically to detect any damage or cracks that could lead to accidents. Several factors contribute to tyre bursts:
Age of tyres: Over time, tyres lose traction and are more prone to bursts due to wear and tear.
Heat pressure: High temperatures increase tyre pressure, which can lead to expansion and bursts.
Overloading: Carrying loads beyond a vehicle’s capacity puts extra stress on tyres, causing them to burst.
Damaged tyres: Prompt repair or replacement of worn-out or damaged tyres is necessary to avoid bursts.
Tyre quality: Inferior quality tyres wear out faster and are more likely to burst.
Inflation levels: Both under-inflated and over-inflated tyres are susceptible to damage and bursts.
Driving with damaged or worn-out tyres is an offence, punishable by a Dh500 fine, four black points, and one-week vehicle impoundment, as stipulated in Article 82 of the Federal Traffic Law. Authorities have increased traffic checks to catch violators and emphasize the dangers of driving with unsafe tyres.
MOI records show that drivers received 18,145 violations for driving with unfit tyres, with 8,984 in Abu Dhabi, 2,413 in Dubai, 2,093 in Sharjah, 1,572 in Ajman, 182 in Umm Al-Quwain, 2,260 in Ras Al Khaimah, and 641 in Fujairah.