The South African Tyre Manufacturers Conference (SATMC), in partnership with the Road Accident Fund (RAF), held a tyre safety workshop with Western Cape provincial transport authorities and Goodyear tyre manufacturer at the Gene Louw Traffic College, Cape Town last week to reinforce South Africa’s tyre laws. The Western Cape law enforcement personnel were in attendance.
Following the workshop, a commuter educational roadblock was held at the N1, Huguenot Tunnel, Paarl, on 17 March to educate consumers about the tyre laws and perform free tyre checks ahead of the Easter season.“As the Easter season approaches, there is a significant increase in road accidents each year,” said RAF spokesperson, William Maphutha. “Many of these accidents could be avoided by ensuring one’s car is roadworthy for travel.”
“Because tyres play a significant role in the safety of a vehicle, we’ve partnered with the RAF to educate and reinforce South Africa’s tyre laws by conducting these workshops and commuter educational roadblocks,” explained Nduduzo Chala, Managing Executive of the SATMC.
The training covered three key elements of tyre safety. Law enforcement then educated consumers on these three elements and provided free tyre checks during a commuter roadblock held the next day at the N1, Huguenot Tunnel, Paarl.
In most of the Road Traffic Management Corporation’s (RTMC) seasonal, quarterly and annual reports, burst tyres are cited as the leading vehicle-related cause of accidents in South Africa, with up to 73% of vehicle failures attributed to tyres alone.
According to the RTMC’s most recent annual report, over 67 000 drivers were issued with notices for driving with worn tyres in a single year. That, counting only motorists who received notices, is almost 200 accidents a day.
“Motorists are opting for used tyres due to lower disposable income after Covid 19 impact, this has shown to be dangerous on the back of a survey conducted by the SATMC by revealed that around 63% of second-hand tyres sold in South Africa are illegal,” Chala said.
“The SATMC recommends that consumers purchase tyres or get assistance from accredited tyre dealers, especially when considering travelling over the Easter holidays this year. This will ensure we keep our families, loved ones and fellow road users safe over this period,” Chala said.
SATMC has provided tips on tyre safety:
1. Check tread depth
More tread will provide the vehicle with more grip, and especially in the wet. It is recommended to check your tread depth regularly either with a dedicated tread gauge or using the built-in tread wear indicator on the tyres. Legal requirements are that the tread grooves retain a certain minimum depth, when measured at Tread Wear Indicator (TWI), located around the circumference of the tyre. For passenger tyres the figure is 1.6 mm. In several countries for certain winter models the reference is 4 mm.
2. Check your tyre pressure
Tyres simply will not work without enough air. It is recommended to check your pressure at least once a month and keep your tyres correctly inflated at all times. The correct pressure can be found in the vehicle’s operating manual and either under the fuel cap, on the inside of the door or the glove compartment. It is important to do this when tyre tires are cold, before long journeys and when carrying heavy loads.
3. Check for damage or irregular wear
It is important to look after your tyres. Check regularly for any signs of irregular wear, any sharp objects lodged in the tread and any cuts, tears, cracks or bulges.
Chala added, “We appreciate the support of the RAF and the Western Cape law enforcement in educating consumers about tyre laws and the importance of tyre safety. Tyres are a safety-critical component in a vehicle. We therefore urge all motorists to check their tyres regularly and, if necessary, replace them with tyres from accredited/reputable tyre dealers. Having our consumers stay safe on the road during the festive season remains our top priority.”
For more information on the SATMC and what they do, visit https://www.satmc.co.za/ or email info@satmc.co.za. END