Uninspected cars are road hazards, Dubai licensing official tells motorists

DUBAI // Motorists who do not re-register their vehicles are endangering other drivers, a senior transport official said yesterday. Owners are required to re-register the vehicles every year with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), whose inspectors check their condition and safety. If cars fail the RTA test, their owners must make repairs before the vehicles are allowed back on the road.

Ahmed Bahrouzian, chief executive of the RTA licensing agency, said yesterday that some drivers were not re-registering. "We don't know if they do not want to pay the fine or if they are just lazy," he said at a press conference to discuss the department's road safety programme. When owners re-register vehicles, they are required to pay any outstanding fines. He said the motorists put others at risk because their uninspected vehicles could be unsafe. "Their vehicles may not be suitable for the road.

"The brakes may break or the tyres could be worn. The cars could even be doing damage to the environment." The agency is still considering what to do with offenders. "We are working with Dubai Police on this to encourage people to come in and register their vehicle." He said no accurate figures were available for unregistered vehicles. Meanwhile, RTA inspectors have begun spot checks on lorries on some main highways, including Al Khail Road and Emirates Road. "We are checking the brakes, tyres and lights," Mr Bahrouzian said.

He also said that Dubai's driving schools would have to adopt stricter efficiency standards and more uniform testing procedures. He said driving examiners are being trained in the required standards. eharnan@thenational.ae