The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says that the use of fake and worn out tyres are major causes of road accidents.
The Corps Public Education Officer (CPEO), Mr Bisi Kazeem, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that tyres are one of the components of a vehicle which must not be taken for granted since it could lead to serious consequences.
“That is why the Corps advises every vehicle owner to patronise only genuine tyres and always ensure that the tyres in their vehicles are in good working condition.
“The fact is that most drivers do not only use fake tyres but use them until they are completely worn out before they change them.
“That reduces the traction which most often leads to crashes, especially during the rainy season as a result of slippery surfaces,” said Kazeem, an Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM).
Kazeem says that the FRSC has been trying ways to figure out enlightenment approaches, including conducting motor park rallies, to create the necessary awareness.
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The FRSC official said that the corps was also involved in carrying out enforcement through conventional and special patrol operations and mobile court sessions to apprehend and sanction offenders, appropriately.
“Apart from the collaboration with SON and NADDC, the Corps, having noted the adverse effects of driving with fake, worn out, or expired tyres and the dangers they could cause to the motoring public.
“This is the reason the Corps engaged in aggressive awareness campaign targeting both private car owners and commercial drivers.
“These enlightenment campaigns always precede enforcement because the corps believes that proper enforcement cannot be achieved without enlightenment.
“We, first of all, put the motoring public in the know about the dangers of fake tyres and how they have led to many crashes on our roads before deploying our team to enforce compliance,’’ he said.
Such initiatives to reduce road mishaps in India is in vain. Traffic officers must enlighten people about using genuine tyres instead of fake tyres to protect precious lives. Also, penalty must be established for using worn out tyres which is yet to be implemented as a strict rule in the country.
