Fix your car lights to avert accidents
dubai — The first-ever ‘Light Test’ campaign in the Middle East has started in the UAE and will run up until December 17. Organised by Osram with the support of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and RoadSafetyUAE, the campaign aims at raising awareness about the dangers posed on roads by defunct lighting in cars.
International studies confirm that three times as many road traffic accidents occur after nightfall than during the day, and many of these are caused by vehicle lighting problems.
Neglected high beam, low beam, brake lights, tail lights and fog lights more likely to lead to accidents on the road.
“As a manufacturer in the automotive lighting sector, we consider it our duty to tell drivers about the best possible car lighting and minimise the risk of accidents on the roads. We, therefore, support a large number of campaigns worldwide designed to educate drivers about the importance of proper lighting as well as proper usage of it,” said Miroslav Cincura from Osram.
Motorists in the UAE can get a free check-up on their vehicle lighting at selected service stations — the 16 locations across the UAE can be found on www. LightTest.ae
As a manufacturer in the automotive lighting sector, we consider it our duty to tell drivers about the best possible car lighting and minimise the risk of accidents on the roads.” Miroslav Cincura, spokesman, Osram
See and be seen
Since most of the streets in the UAE are well-lit, one can forget to switch on the vehicle lights after dusk. Whenever the car lights are switched on, it is a clear signal to other drivers that the car is moving or ready to move, meaning the illumination of the road is no longer the main purpose in this case.
“The car’s ability to protect other vehicles and pedestrians is called passive safety. Despite its classification as ‘passive safety’, it is equally important as ‘active safety’. Also, signalling should be a habit; the purpose of turn signals is to let other drivers and pedestrians know what a driver is going to do.
“If you don’t see any other cars or pedestrians, it might not be because they aren’t there, but because you don’t see them (i.e. blind spot) and your turn signal needs to alert them to prevent an accident,” said Cincura.
Thomas Edelmann, managing director of RoadSafetyUAE said: “A core fundamental of road safety is ‘see and be seen’. Osram is an expert in this field and we are proud to collaborate with Osram in the Light Test campaign. We experience vehicles with defunct lighting pretty much every day on the UAE’s roads, as well as motorists who are forgetful in turning on their lights when the light conditions deteriorate. Awareness for this fundamental element of road safety must be raised and Osram is setting an excellent example.”
Tyreplus, a car care network in the Gulf region certified by Michelin, joined the Osram Light Test campaign by offering free tyre safety check-ups during the campaign period.
“Safety is our primary concern. We care about our customers’ and their families’ safety. We are very happy to take part in this awareness campaign,” said Daoud Helmi, commercial director gulf countries for Michelin.