Almost two thirds of Dubai motorists neglect tyre safety measures, according to a survey conducted by Bridgestone Middle East and Africa.
The Japan-headquartered tyre manufacturer’s regional subsidiary found that 65% of respondents did not check the condition of their vehicles’ tyres regularly.
Of those drivers who did not check their tyres on a regular basis, 66% did not know how to do so and 17% did not rember.
Evelina Voynova, general manager for administration at Bridgestone MEA, is in charge of the manufacturer’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) and tyre safety initiatives. Commenting on the findings, she said: “Our survey results clearly show that many drivers are unaware of how to conduct basic tyre safety checks. Checking tyre air pressure is a very simple task, and should be done at least once a month.
“Tyres must also be inspected often for cracks, bulges, and any foreign objects lodged in them. Regular maintenance can prevent accidents and save money by improving fuel efficiency,” she added.
Additional information from the survey showed that almost 17% of respondents were not aware of the correct air pressure for their tyres. The manufacturer pointed out that this information can be found on the driver’s door frame, or inside the owner’s manual.
More than a third (34%) of respondents did not know about the ‘tread wear indicator’ on tyres. These are raised bars that are moulded into the grooves of tyres; tyres should be replaced when these indicators are at the same level as that of the tyre surface, explained Bridgestone MEA.
“Bridgestone is committed to educating motorists and to encourage the practice of tyre and vehicle safety; we distributed compact air-pressure gauges to survey participants during the ‘Safety Station’ campaign,” explained Voynova. “All visitors at the station had the opportunity to learn how to conduct tyre, engine oil, battery, and wiper checks with the assistance of Bridgestone staff.”
The campaign, which was conducted in conjunction with Robert Bosch Middle East and Nasser Bin Abdullatif Alserkal Est, was conducted at Dubai Marina Mall and Times Square Center in June 2015.
Bridgestone MEA plans to conduct similar campaigns in Lebanon, Oman, Egypt, Mauritious, and Morocco, according to Voynova.
