UAE Traffic Accidents Linked to Tire Blowouts

Tyre blowouts are considered a major cause of traffic accidents in the UAE, the key reason behind Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Councils (QCC) new inspection campaign in Abu Dhabi.

The campaign aims to ensure the safety of pedastrians and motorists by checking the fitness of new and re-treaded tyres on the market as well as ensuring they meet Gulf Standards Organizations GSO technical and safety standards.

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.