A study by the National Road Safety Commission, NRSC, has revealed that 75 percent of tyres imported into the country are second- hand and therefore not good enough.
The Executive Director of the commission, May Obiri Yeboah explained that the use of such tyres increases the risk of motor accidents by 30 percent.
Regulation 62(1) of the new road traffic regulation, 2012 L.I 2180 states that vehicle tyres of more than four years counting from the manufacture date should not be fitted on vehicles in the country.
substandard tyre is one of whatever description either new or old that does not meet the requirements as provided by Regulation 62 of the Road Traffic Regulations 2012.
Vehicles should be fitted with pneumatic tyres manufactured for use in hot and normal weather conditions labeled A or B.
A person who contravenes the regulation commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction.
According to the National Road Safety Commission, knowledge about vehicle tyres is very low and has high implications for road safety.
“Road safety management has become complex judging from the dynamics of how road traffic crashes occur. To confront this challenge, strong partnership and collaboration is required in the fields of enforcement, engineering services, and education. The NRSC’s mandate falls in the latter; that is education and we will not relent on our responsibility of undertaking nationwide planning and development of road safety education, programmes and activities” NRSC’s Executive Director May Obiri Yeboah noted.
Director of Research and Monitoring at the Transport Ministry, Lawrence Kumi, says the ministry will come out with a workable solution to stop the importation of sub- standard tyres.
Head of Education, Research and Training at the Motor Transport and Traffic Unit of the Ghana Police Service, DSP Alexander Obeng, called for concerted efforts of all stakeholders in enforcing the legislation.
Tyre importers, vulcanizers and transport operators were sensitized on safe tyre management, life span , and the components of vehicle tyres.
By:editors.3news.com/Ghana
