FRSC, SON agree to stem abuse of tokunbo tyres by motorists

AGAINST the backdrop of the influx of unregulated second- hand motor tyres populary called tokunbo in local parlance, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) is to collaborate with the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) in stemming the ugly trend.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to SON headquarters on vehicle safety standards yesterday in Abuja, the FRSC Corps Marshal, Boboye Oyeyemi stressed that the Corps has remained focused in its enforcement strides with emphasis on the fairly-used tyres and other traffic-related matters which fall short of recommended safety standards.

The Corp Marshal lamented the abuse of tyres specifications as recent survey by the Corps indicate that about 250 different brands of tyres are used in the country. Some motorists use tyres meant for agricultural purposes on commercial vehicles, thus widening the possibilities for avoidable road traffic accidents.

He called for a stronger legal framework to address the influx of right-hand steering vehicles into the country, noting that increased collaboration between the FRSC, National Automotive Council and the Standards Organization of Nigeria in this direction will enhance compliance.

“In some cases, you stop a vehicle with four different brands of tyres being affixed to the same vehicle and we take extra steps to sensitize such drivers on the traffic hazards associated with this practice, but in most cases, we prosecute them in line with provisions of the traffic laws” he said.

Director-General of SON, Dr. Joseph Odumodu frowned at the rate at which motorists in the country operate with fairly used tyres even in the face of road safety challenges associated with the use of such tyres.

According to him: “It is worrisome that motorists patronize these products which have not only expired in some cases but also do not conform to minimum safety standards.

It is also imperative to note that new tyres are not ruled out from expiration because some tyres may get close to expiry date before being purchased and used by motorists who are ignorant of this.”

He, therefore, urged the FRSC to expand its operational frontiers to tackle the influx of fairly used tyres into the country as part of measures towards further reduction in road traffic crashes.

Odumodu also commended the FRSC management for remaining committed to its data collation on road traffic crashes, analysis and knowledge sharing with other relevant agencies stressing that this initiative provides a definite guide for the federal government on national planning and other forms of decision-making towards national growth.