Drivers advised to check tyres as temperatures rise

The Traffic and Patrols department of the Abu Dhabi Police is calling on motorists, especially those travelling to the capital on the Al Guwaifat highway, to exercise caution to prevent any accidents caused by burst tyres this summer with the launch of an awareness campaign titled ‘Death by Accident'. "Summer temperatures can reach up to 55 degrees Celsius, which doubles the possibility of tyres bursting, especially if motorists have not taken the necessary measures to ensure that their tyres do not have any defects or are worn down," Brigadier Hussain Ahmad Al Harithi, Director of Traffic and patrol Abu Dhabi Police, said in a statement on Thursday. Al Harithi noted that there were nine deaths and 11 serious injuries due to accidents related to tyres bursting, from June 1 to September 30, 2010. "This year, there have already been cases of two deaths and three serious injuries in the last five months due to tyre bursts and malfunctions. Also, the heat of this season causes additional problems, such as the overheating of cars. This may pose safety risk for drivers in addition to the possibility of disrupting traffic flow," he said. When faced with such a situation, Al Harithi noted that motorists must take the necessary steps to cool down their car engines before driving to the nearest repair shop for further examination. Article continues below Excess heat "Drivers should open the hoods of their vehicles to let the excess heat and smoke leave the engine. Afterwards, they should fill their radiators with water or radiator fluid before going to a garage. For such instances occurring along the Al Guwaifat highway, the General Directorate of Abu Dhabi Police in that location has a mobile workshop to provide assistance," he said. He also noted that many travellers to Abu Dhabi from neighbouring countries load various items on the roof their cars. He cautioned that if the load is not secured properly or it is too high, it could pose a safety risk to other motorists as well as people in the car.