Tyre blowouts are considered a major cause of traffic accidents in the UAE. A tyre blowout is the tyre’s sudden failure that results in a quick rupture caused mainly because of its damaged conditions (wear, tear and over or under inflation). It is different from a puncture, which causes a gradual loss of air pressure from an inflated tyre. A tyre blowout, on the other hand, is an explosion that tears apart a tyre without warning. As soon as the tyre blowout occurs, the driver starts to lose the vehicle’s control. It is a distressing experience and often leads to fatal accidents because many drivers are unaware of how to control a vehicle when it happens.
As part of UAE’s road safety campaign, the Abu Dhabi Police have informed motorists that they will be fined AED 500, penalised with four traffic points and have their vehicle impounded for one week if they are caught driving with unfit tyres. The Police have urged motorists to examine their tyres on a regular basis by inspecting the air pressure and to visually inspect any serious damage. Driving with unfit tyres is extremely risky as it leads to an increase in the number of tyre blowouts and dangerous accidents.
Given below is a complete guide on why tyre blowouts occur, how to prevent them and how drivers should handle a tyre blowout.
Also read: Traffic Authorities Warn Motorists Against Driving a Vehicle with Unfit Tyres
What Happens During a Tyre Blowout?
A tyre blowout is the immediate loss of tyre pressure to the point where the tyre’s structure is incapable of staying intact, often resulting in the tyre being destroyed. Tyre blowouts occur when the car is driven over a pothole or a sharp object which can cause it to lose pressure immediately.
Another main factor that drastically increases the chances of a tyre blowout is extreme heat. The risk of a tyre blowout is particularly high during UAE’s summers. While driving, heat is generated due to friction between the rubber of the tyre and the road surface. If your tyre is in poor condition, the sidewall will start flexing gradually and touch the road surface. The excessive heat build-up causes further deterioration to the casing. The rubber of the tyre loses its bond with the steel belts that give the tyre its strength and the result is a blowout.
The combination of heat and a neglected, worn-out tyre can push the tyre beyond its breaking point. Besides heat and sharp impacts, other causes of a tyre blowout include heavily loaded vehicles and lack of proper air pressure.
How to Prevent a Tyre Blowout?
Prevention is always better than cure when it comes to tyre safety. Regular inspection of the tyres can be exceedingly beneficial in preventing an imminent tyre blowout.
Additionally, carrying out a visual check every few weeks is helpful in ensuring tyre safety. A tyre with a bulging sidewall or a visibly deflated tyre must be replaced without delay.
Having an uneven tyre tread on a regular basis can cause any one of the tyres to blowout. Wheel alignment and balancing can help prevent uneven tyre wear and undue stress on the tyres. Moreover, having your car’s wheels aligned is also important for tyre wear and overall drivability.
Car drivers must also ensure that tyre tread and wear remain consistent. Tyre treads are the grooves in the tyre which grips and distributes water away from the point of contact. If the wheel balance is out, your tyre tread’s wear will also be inconsistent.
Lastly, it is important to keep the tyre pressure at the right level. Check recommended tyre pressure levels in the owner’s manual. A monthly comprehensive inspection by a professional auto technician should also be done to help identify any minor or major errors.
Also read: 5 Signs You Need to Change Your Car Tyres
What Should You Do During a Tyre Blowout?
Experiencing a tyre blowout can be a terrifying experience as it happens quite unexpectedly. In order to prepare smartly for the incident of a tyre blowout, it is important to learn how to handle a car and maintain control.
If a tyre blowout occurs, follow the guidelines below:
- Remain calm and keep both hands on the steering wheel.
- Signal hazard lights to warn other drivers.
- Bring the car to a stop by applying the brakes slowly yet firmly.
- Once the car is stopped, it is advised to park it or pull up the handbrake.
- Place the hazard triangle, which is located inside the boot, behind the vehicle.
- Contact the relevant emergency services as soon as possible.
New Generations Cars Have Advanced Tyre Safety
Newer generation vehicles are equipped with advanced safety technologies and features that can help maintain tyre safety effectively. Some of the features that are available in newer-generation vehicles are Run Flat-tyre or Puncture-Proof technology, Traction Control and TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System).
The Tyre Pressure Monitoring System measures air pressure. It informs the driver of any changes in pressure so that they can keep their tyres well-inflated. If the tyre pressure is well-maintained, it decreases the chances of a tyre blowout.
Additionally, Traction Control is an advanced technology that is equipped in newer generation vehicles because it prevents wheel slippage. Traction Control is also an active safety feature that helps the driver accelerate when driving on slippery surfaces.
Puncture-Proof or Run-Flat tyre technology uses self-sealing technologies and air-pressure monitoring to enable drivers to continue driving for a set distance while the car manages the tyre pressure. This means that the driver may be able to drive to the nearest auto shop to get the damaged tyre replaced or fixed.
Moreover, modern tyres have updated rims that sit tightly against the rim so that air-pressure cannot escape. These updated rims form a protective casing that the tyre can push against. This ensures that the tyre will not easily slip off the rim.
Other technologies such as Automatic Brake Assist (ABA) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) help manage tyre blowouts better as these help the driver maintain control of the vehicle after an unexpected blowout.
Modern cars are much safer as compared to the older generation vehicles as they are equipped with latest driver assistance systems and state-of-the-art safety features. Upgrading to a new vehicle with cutting-edge safety features and enhanced tyre safety can reduce the risk of road accidents and tyre mishaps considerably.
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