Going on vacation? Ensure car and home safety

Sharjah - Sharjah Police launches campaigns for people set to travel out.

Sharjah Police has launched an awareness campaign for people going on vacation to ensure car and road safety as well as security of their homes.
Lieutenant Saud Al Sheiba, director of Traffic Awareness Department, said that the drive aimed at sensitizing motorists to ensure safety of tyre and avoid overloading of luggage inside the car.
He said the campaign, to continue till August-end, will also focus on educating travellers to secure children in car seats and to wear seat belts. Currently, as part of the tyre inspection drive, vehicles are being checked to ensure safety of travellers. Fliers are being distributed at checkpoints and gas stations with advice and safety tips for motorists. "The major causes of accidents are faulty tyres, failure to abide by traffic rules and negligence in taking safety measures while travelling by land," Lt Al Sheiba pointed out.
He explained that traffic rules have been amended in neighbouring countries. "Car tinting exceeding 30 per cent is not allowed in Saudi Arabia. They will also detain drivers for exceeding speed limits. The duration of the detainment is decided by how much the driver exceeded the speed limit, and the vehicle gets impounded as well."
He added that in Oman, motorists driving faster than 75kmph will be detained for 48 hours and the car impounded.
Lt Al Sheiba urged residents travelling by land to make sure their cars are well-maintained before they embark on the trip. "Lights, brakes and spare tyres should be in an excellent condition. Motorists should keep checking air levels in tyres to ensure safety on the road," he said. He added that motorists need to rest whenever they feel tired during a road journey.
Home security while on vacation
Top official at CID of Sharjah Police said that people leaving the country on vacation should take precautionary measures to protect their properties in order to prevent thefts which happen every summer.
He urged travellers to keep their jewellery, cash and other valuables in banks. "There are cases of domestic helpers stealing from the house with outside help when the employer is on vacation," he warned.
People going on vacation should ensure that they do not leave servants at home or let them know about the valuables. Other precautionary measures include switching off the gas and all electrical and electronic devices to prevent fire accidents.
Police security patrols will be deployed  24 hours a day and seven days a week at residential, to ensure security in all neighbourhoods.
- afkarali@khaleejtimes.com

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