'Many tyres on UAE roads do not comply with GSO standards'

Dubai - The study showed that many drivers often neglect basic tyre safety measures and travel in vehicles that are potentially unsafe.

Tyre debris on important and busy highways is a very common sight in the UAE. More often than once, we've seen ripped pieces of tryes strewn across important road networks such as Al Khail Road, Mohammed bin Zayed Road, and Shaikh Zayed Road, reminding drivers of a recent tragic and completely avoidable accidents.
Though there is no official data to quantify this fact, several road accidents in the UAE are caused by the use of faulty, non-standardized and poorly maintained tyres. However, according to a recent study and campaign from Bridgestone Middle East and Africa, almost 65 per cent of respondents in a survey said that they do not check the condition of their vehicle's tyres regularly.
The study showed that many drivers often neglect basic tyre safety measures and travel in vehicles that are potentially unsafe. Of those drivers who did not check their tyres on a regular basis, 66 per cent did not know how to do so and 17 per cent did not remember.
But according to Simon Labbett, regional director of the Transport Research Laboratory, there is a serious need for regulation in tyre safety across the GCC and UAE in particular. Labbett also stated that despite the presence of strict laws, there has been a constant upward spike in tragic road mishaps across the GCC.
He spoke to Khaleej Times on the sidelines of the recently-held Gulf Traffic Exhibition and Conference after his presentation titled 'Tyre Safety Study'. The study was conducted during the summer months of July to September on 1,183 tyres across the privately owned road network of Petroleum Development of Oman.
Labbett pointed out that heat plays a pivotal role in the safety of tyres in the GCC.
"Tyre rubber does not like heat and rubber is a poor conductor of heat. When a tyre moves over the GCC roads, it has to face heat from friction, heat from low tyre pressure, and the weight and pressure from the weight of the vehicle. The faster the vehicle moves, the more friction," he said, further endangering the health of the tyre.
UAE roads
According to Labbett, many of the tyres that ply the UAE roads do not comply with the GCC Standardisation Organisation (GSO standards).
"The GSO standards clearly state that passenger cars must not have a speed rating of over 180 km/ hour, and multi-purpose vehicles are not required to have minimum speed ratings," he said.
"In Oman, I conducted the study on 234 vehicles, of which 134 (57 per cent) were cars, 82 (35 per cent) trucks, and 18 (8 per cent) buses. About 91 (67 per cent) were pick-ups and 43 (33 per cent) were SUVs," said Labbett.
However, on random checks of tyres in the UAE, Labbett found that most tyres did not have the specified speed rating.
He added: "Vehicle classifications provided by different standards and laws are not aligned. The consequence is that pick-up vehicles appear to be operating on lower standards of tyres than SUVs."
However, Labbett also stated that the biggest problem lies in the testing of tyres before they are put out on the road.
"Each test conducted in high controlled environment with an ambient temperature set at 38 degree Celsius (38ºC) ." However, during summer time the roads heat up to as much as 80ºC.
"The influence of direct sunlight is highly significant in increased tyre temperatures (measured up to 80ºC) and far beyond GSO testing and pavement temperatures. The GSO test at 38ºC does not appear to replicate the influence of the sun - This does not imply the test standard is insufficient but it should be discussed," he said.
He said: "The reporting of actual tyre failure is not that good."
In many cases the traffic police examine the tyres and know that the faulty tyres were the consequence of the accident. However, the procedure needs more expert interpretations.
Black market
According to officials at one of the Tasjeel Vehicle Inspections Centres in Dubai, car tyre checking is mandatory to know wear and tear, air pressure, objects inserted inside the tyres and other faults.
An employee said: "Several cars that come here for testing have tyres from the black market. They are cheaper, and serve the purpose for a short while. However, over time and wear and tear. the tyres become dangerous for road use." Dinesh Raghavan, an employee of Al Gandhi Auto Group said: "It is a good investment in the long run. People should avoid buying non-standardised tyres because these tyres are dangerous."
He added: "ESMA has a mobile app, through which the consumer can perform the inspection required. Tyres and electrical appliances are covered."
Every tyre must have a sticker, indicating that it complies with the GSO standard for tyres. This sticker should be clearly visible on every tyre that is presented on the market. The app has a function where it can scan this sticker, and process the information to produce the details of the tyre for the consumer.
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com