adminIn an interview the vice president of the Motor Vehicle Association of Zimbabwe (MIAZ), Mr Reggies Sibanda, said surveys and tests conducted by MIAZ had shown that almost 95 percent of road accidents were triggered by second hand tyre bursts.
“We have come to realise that second hand tyres imported from Europe and Asia, significantly contribute to accidents in the country.
“Most of these cheap second hand tyres imported from Europe and Asia are designed for regions with low temperatures in contrast to high temperatures in Africa. Once exposed to high temperatures they are prone to burst resulting in vehicles overturning,” said Mr Sibanda.
He said the association was appealing to Government to introduce measures to ban imports of foreign manufactured tyres to prevent further loss of life through road accidents.
“We are appealing to the Government to ban the importation of foreign manufactured tyres which are usually used by public transport vehicles since many lives will continue to be lost.
“This is not a question of choice but of need even common sense rules against their use since they were never designed to withstand weather conditions in the country,” he said.
He said the association was lobbying traders importing second hand vehicles from the United Kingdom and Dubai to immediately change the tyres on arrival at the border.
“We are in the process of engaging and advising companies importing vehicles from abroad to change tyres so as to avoid accidents especially in public transport vehicles travelling long distances.
“Part of the problem is that imported vehicles are used for the wrong purposes in the country since abroad they are used for shuttling people over short distances. In Zimbabwe we use them for ferrying heavy loads over long distances which is inappropriate considering their weak suspension,” he said .
Mr Sibanda advised the public to stick to locally manufactured tyres and visit any MIAZ vehicle check centre to get advice on which vehicles to purchase in correspondence with intended purpose of use.
“We are aware that the prices of imported vehicle are good but people should purchase the right vehicle for the correct use without encountering any hustles and make sure their vehicles have certified fire extinguishers to prevent fire outbreaks especially haulage trucks carrying hazardous substances,” he said.
Online Reporter