Road Safety Commission pledges action to stop importation of low grade tyres
The Executive Director of the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC), Ms. May Obiri-Yeboah, has pledged to stop importation of sub-standard vehicle tyres.
She said electronic scanners would be installed at the ports, which would identify and prevent any poor quality tyre from finding its way into the market.
This comes on the back of the findings of a study that 15 per cent of vehicles involved in fatal crashes had some form of tyre defect before the crash.
Again, their use was also found to increase the risk of crash occurrence by 30 per cent.
Ms. Obiri-Yeboah, addressing a forum on road safety held in Kumasi, said the situation where over 2,000 people perished annually on the country’s roads was unacceptable and would have to change.
Among the gathering were tyre and spare parts dealers, importers, vulcanizers, transport operators and the security services.
The forum was to educate and help participants to better understand the new guidelines for importation and use of vehicle tyres to improve safety on the roads.
She expressed dissatisfaction with the high importation of used tyres, most of which had either exceeded the manufacturers’ guaranteed age threshold or reduced life span, something she said had serious implications for road safety.
She said as efforts were being made to ensure that importers did not bring in inferior tyres, customs officials should put in place systems to properly inspect those coming in to prevent the entry of low-grade ones.
She reminded the people gathered to get right with the law and comply with safety regulations.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Kofi Boakye, the Ashanti Regional Commander, warned that violators of traffic laws would be arrested and prosecuted.
The police would go to every length to tackle recklessness and impunity on the roads to make them safe.
Mr Samuel Obeng Asiamah, the NSRC Regional Manager, said enforcement of safety regulations was not meant to throw anybody out of business.
Source: GNA