There is no ban on the use of second-hand tyres in the country, May Obiri-Yeboah, Executive Director of the National Road Safety Commission has stated.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ forum on tyre standards in Accra, Ms Obiri-Yeboah said the ban was rather on sub-standard tyres.

She said although a tyre could be new, if it did not meet the standards set by the law, especially with the tread depth and the average age, people who used it could be prosecuted.

It was for this reason that NRSC had been charged with the mandate of ensuring the safety of the nation’s roads, and tyres that did not meet the road regulation law (L.I. 2180 section 52) should not be fitted under vehicles, she pointed out.

The law states that tyres used on roads in the country should have 1.6 millimeter depth tread and should not be more than four years old hence the consideration of tyres that do not meet the requirements as sub-standard.

Explaining the rationale for the ban of sub-standard tyres, she said tyres were made of rubber that would wear off after a period of time and therefore not advisable for use after a period of four years in the country.

“We are not saying second hand tyres should be banned. If they meet the specification, they can be used because we can all not buy brand new tyres. But research also shows that the probability of you having a crash with a second hand tyre is 30 percent more than a new tyre so that tells you that if you have the money, you must go in for the brand new tyres,” she said.

Senior Planning Officer at the National Road Safety Commission, Samuel Obeng Asiamah, giving a presentation on tyre safety standards in the country said it was important for owners of cars to check their vehicle tyre pressure at least once a week.

“Check tyre pressure, including the spare, once a week or before undertaking a long journey in the morning and only use tyre sizes recommended by the manufacturers at the recommended inflation pressure,” he said.

He said no matter how good a car or its tyre was, breaking speed limits was dangerous, as a sudden change in direction or braking could result in loss of control over the vehicle.

“If a tyre bursts, do not apply the brakes; rather use the momentum and gears to slow down the vehicle,” he said.