Faisal Aboobacker Ponnani

Saudi Gazette

 

DAMMAM — Recent studies have indicated that 30 percent of road accidents in the Kingdom are caused by tire failure.



Since summer, traffic authorities have been urging motorists to ensure their vehicle tires are in good condition.



Many people are not aware how important tires are although tires are considered responsible for 33 percent of vehicle safety and bad tires are the main cause of most overturning accidents.



Last week, a fully loaded truck burned down on the Jubail – Dammam highway. A spark caused by a tire blast had triggered the fire.



Two Indian female nurses were killed on the spot and two others seriously injured in an accident on Riyadh-Dammam highway recently after a tire blew up.



Alberto Rod, an expert in motor vehicle tires, said tires need special care in summer as high temperatures put added stress on them. He said motorists are convinced by shop owners that used tires are safe when this is not the case.



"While the tire may not show any outward defect, the internal layers could have been damaged and this can lead to a major tire burst in hot temperatures on the road," Rod said, adding that such an accident can put the lives of not only the driver but other road users also in danger.



During peak summer season when road asphalt temperature can reach up to 70 degrees Celsius, the threat of tire blasts is greater. Tires should always be procured from authorized dealers and motorists should not buy any used or expired tires even if the condition appears new.



An increasing number of car crashes in the Kingdom in the past 10 years were caused by tire blowouts, said Rod.