The UAE Ministry of Interior has warned drivers about neglecting safety measures to prevent vehicle fires, especially during the summer season. They have recommended five key precautions to avoid such incidents, including turning off the engine while refueling.
In detail, the roads of the country have seen several incidents in recent years that resulted in vehicle fires while driving or following collisions with other vehicles, causing harm to the drivers.
Lieutenant Colonel Faisal Abdullah Al Shahi from the General Directorate of Civil Defense at the Ministry of Interior stated that cars contain flammable elements, such as liquid fuel, oils, and internal components like plastic and rubber. He mentioned that there are five main causes that lead to vehicle fires: collisions and rollovers, fuel leaks connecting with heat sources, leaving oils and pressurized containers with flammable materials, such as spray cans and gas containers, exposed to high temperatures inside the vehicle, lack of electrical and mechanical maintenance, and unusually high engine temperatures.
To prevent vehicle fires, Al Shahi advised drivers with five guidelines: daily monitoring of coolant and engine oil levels, having maintenance performed by a specialized technician for vehicle protection and user safety, securely closing the fuel tank cap to prevent leaks and fire hazards, refraining from smoking, turning off the engine while refueling, and keeping a fire extinguisher and first aid kit handy for emergencies.
In line with this, the Ministry of Interior, represented by the Federal Traffic Council, recently launched the third unified traffic awareness campaign for 2021, under the slogan "Safe Summer Traffic," as part of the traffic sector initiatives to improve road safety, achieve the highest levels of traffic safety, and raise awareness among community segments about the damages resulting from traffic accidents, including deaths, injuries, and material and moral damages, which will continue throughout the summer vacation.
The campaign aims to spread traffic awareness about the importance of regular vehicle maintenance and ensuring tire safety and brake functionality to maintain safety for drivers and road users. Notably, the extreme summer heat negatively affects tire and vehicle performance, necessitating adherence to maintenance and inspection schedules, especially before drivers embark on long journeys.
This campaign is part of a series of key initiatives by the Ministry of Interior at the national level, aimed at protecting road users from traffic accidents, taking precautions related to vehicle safety, and ensuring regular maintenance and vehicle safety for the well-being of everyone. The slogan "Safe Summer Traffic" was chosen to coincide with the start of the summer vacation.
The Ministry of Interior advised drivers to take numerous precautions regarding vehicle and tire safety and to comply with the maximum allowed load limits on vehicle roofs, which should not exceed 60 centimeters in height, as overloading can upset vehicle balance and make control difficult.
They emphasized that traffic accidents continue to be a major concern for officials in traffic and patrol departments in the country due to their detrimental effects, leading to deaths, injuries, and other social consequences, as well as the loss of lives and property, which impose huge costs on the state.
The campaign is being executed in cooperation and coordination with traffic and patrol departments in the state, alongside many parties concerned with road safety in both the public and private sectors, to unify and support local efforts, aiming to reach the largest segments of the community through various media platforms, including print, audio, visual media, the internet, and billboards, as well as organizing discussion forums about the campaign and its traffic values and culture.
Drivers and road users are urged to adhere to traffic rules and regulations to avoid risks of traffic accidents and the consequent injuries, loss of life, and property damage.
