Trucks must be tested and drivers rested...
As sad and shocking as yesterday’s news was are we really surprised that this type of incident occurs?
The brakes failed? Have the correct post accident tests, on both vehicles and drivers, been conducted? There is a lack of drivers’ hours rules and corrective maintenance standards in the UAE, how many times have you witnessed heavy trucks without working tail lights (broken or otherwise)? heard the constant hissing of air brakes as they drive along? (yes a brake defect), seen tyres strewn across the roads caused by overloading and poor tyre management? Undertaking by heavy trucks ignoring the speed limits?
How many hours had the driver been at the wheel? How much rest had he had in the past 24 hours?
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An annual vehicle test is not sufficient for enforcing the correct standards of roadworthiness. My last point on this, Mohammed Sheik Bin Zayed Road, toward Al Ain Road at Silicon Oasis in the morning, school buses queue jump every day with lorries thundering past…. need I say more!
Steve, Dubai
2 Comments
by Trampsmate
Thursday, February 07 2013, 11:09AM
“I must pass on average about 5 blown out truck tyres each day along Emirates Road, and its only a 30km stretch.”
by FatBhoyTim
Wednesday, February 06 2013, 9:04AM
“Corrective maintenance? It's the complete lack of preventative maintenace that worries me.”