DANGER OF USED/TOKUNBO TYRES

One of the factors causing road traffic crashes in the last four years is the bursting of tyres, according to the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC. Similarly, more Nigerians have died through the use of substandard tyres, popularly known as “tokunbo tyres” than other epidemics, like malaria, HIV, and diabetes. The corps marshal Osita Chidoka warned the motoring public to desist from purchasing second hand tyres because of the danger they pose lives, especially in the dry season. 

Also, the Director of Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) Dr. Joseph Odumodu has warned traders to remove the killer tyres or get them confiscated. Decrying the rate of road crashes as a result of tyre burst, the Kaduna state sector commander of FRSC, Mr. Olumide Olagunju, wondered why motorists should go for second hand  tyres when they have access to brand new tyres which are cheaper and safer. According to statistics from FRSC, from 2009 to the first quarter of this year, a total of 22,153 road accidents have been documented on the highways. Out of this 1,455 road accident were caused by weak, worn and expiring tyres.

In 2009 alone, 703 accidents on the highways resulted from tyre burst, representing 6.5 per cent of the total number of road accident that year. In 2010, it declined slightly to 246, representing 4.6 per cent of total road accident that year. In 2011, the level of road accidents from expired tyres went slightly higher to 399 documented cases representing the total road accidents. So far, 107 car accidents have been documented in the first quarter of this year due to “killer tyre burst,” representing 8.9 per cent of the total road accident figure. Vehicle tyres have a 4-year validity period from their date of manufacture. Thereafter, the tyre expires and may burst whilst in use. How to find out whether your tyre has expired?

Check for a stamp like in the picture above (3507). The first two numbers "35" tells you which week of the year it was manufactured and the last two number "07" tells you the year of manufacturing. So from the sample above, the tyre was manufactured the 35th week of year 2007. Check all your tyres for road safety purpose. Don't use expired tyres. They are likely to burst, especially when running in hot weather.

Ibrahim Paul Yushua,

Kafanchan, Kaduna state