Sumitomo Rubber SA drives Tyre Safety

This Transport Month and beyond, Sumitomo Rubber South Africa (SRSA) is supporting a joint program by the Road Accident Fund (RAF) and the South African Tyre Manufacturers Conference (SATMC), aiming to ramp up tire safety education and enforcement across South Africa.

Keith Phelps, Group Training Manager: Truck & Bus at SRSA, has been providing technical training support to upskill Traffic and Road Safety Officers about how to spot risky or illegal tires that pose a threat to road safety.

This is part of an ongoing partnership between the RAF and the SATMC, where the focus is on empowering officers to better enforce tire-related laws and regulations correctly and to educate commuters on various aspects of tire safety.

By the end of the year, more than 1,000 traffic officers are expected to have been trained.

Safety successes
Last month, a Gauteng roadshow saw more than 200 traffic officers trained and close to 2000 traffic fines issued for unsafe and illegal tires during a two-hour education roadblock. In Jozini earlier this month, more than 180 officers were upskilled to spot dangerous tires. The initiative also included an educational roadblock set up at the Jozini N2 intersection, to educate commuters about tire safety and ensure that they get proper technical information on their tires.

A Gqeberha roadshow was held from 12 to 13 October, where around 300 traffic officers participated. Another will take place in Cape Town from 26 to 27 October involving the metro’s entire traffic department.

Phelps takes the law enforcement officers through what to look out for in terms of tire wear patterns, sidewall damage, retreaded tires, and more, that could affect the roadworthiness and legality of a tire.

The training covers topics such as the importance of tire safety, how to identify safe tires (including tire construction, markings, fitment, tread depth standards, and more), how to maintain tires properly, and the dangers of illegal and unsafe second-hand tires.

Says Phelps, “Road users need to know the dangers of operating vehicles with worn or poorly inflated tires, and traffic officers need to be able to identify and weed out unroadworthy tires and vehicles.”

Tread safely for road safety
Data from the Road Traffic Management Corporation’s (RTMC) State of Road Safety Report for the period January to December 2021 shows that 41% of crashes occurred due to tire burst prior to the crash, while a further 15% of crashes were due to smooth tires. Meanwhile, South Africa’s National Road Safety Strategy 2016-2030 notes that “…tires are a major issue as both burst and smooth tires suggest tires not being replaced or maintained regularly enough to maintain required roadworthiness standards. To address this and other issues greater emphasis needs to be placed on law enforcement interventions aimed at ensuring that vehicles are roadworthy.”

Nduduzo Chala, SATMC Managing Executive, said, “Being the sole point of contact between a vehicle and the road, tires play a crucial role in vehicle performance, handling, and safety on the roads. As the SATMC and RAF, we know that equipping law enforcement and road users with the knowledge of proper tire safety is an essential step in our ongoing battle against road accidents in South Africa.”

RAF Road Safety Senior Manager, Siphamandla Gumbi, added, “The RAF conducts countrywide workshops, educational programmes and marketing campaigns to promote safe walking, driving, cycling, and passenger habits, and to empower the enforcement of road rules. In this regard, we have partnered with experts in tire usage such as the SATMC in order to continue the fight against road crash injuries and fatalities by increasing awareness and shifting the mindsets of all road users.”

The ongoing programme will include educational roadshows and on-road educational roadblocks in all nine provinces of South Africa, with special emphasis on major transport hubs like KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape, and Gauteng. A total of 12 sessions will be conducted until March 2024.

According to the SATMC, illicit trade of tires into South Africa, coupled with the country’s unregulated second-hand tire industry, are posing a serious threat to the safety of South African consumers.

Better-informed consumers would result in a decline in the sale of such tires, ultimately saving lives and improving road safety – a key goal of the Road Safety Partnership South Africa which Sumitomo Rubber SA is a member of.

When it comes to tire care and safety in South Africa (or anywhere else), there are several key aspects to consider.

Proper tire maintenance is essential for ensuring your safety on the road and extending the lifespan of your tires…

Here are some important points related to tire care and safety:

1. Tire Pressure: Maintaining the correct tire pressure is crucial. Under-inflated tires can overheat and cause blowouts, while over-inflated tires can lead to reduced traction and a harsher ride. Check your tire pressure regularly and keep them inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended levels.
2. Tire Tread: Worn-out tires with low tread depth can significantly reduce traction, especially on wet or slippery roads. In South Africa, where road conditions can vary, having good tread depth is essential. The legal minimum tread depth in South Africa is 1.6mm. Replace your tires if the tread depth falls below this level.
3. Wheel Alignment and Balancing: Proper wheel alignment ensures that your tires wear evenly. Imbalanced or misaligned wheels can lead to uneven tire wear and affect your vehicle’s handling. Regularly check and correct wheel alignment and balance.
4. Rotating Tires: Tires wear differently depending on their position on the vehicle. Regularly rotating your tires ensures even wear and extends their lifespan. Refer to your vehicle’s manual for the recommended rotation pattern.
5. Avoid Overloading: Overloading your vehicle puts extra stress on your tires, leading to increased wear and the risk of a blowout. Be mindful of your vehicle’s load capacity and avoid exceeding it.
6. Inspect for Damage: Regularly inspect your tires for signs of damage, such as cuts, bulges, or punctures. If you notice any damage, have your tires inspected by a professional.
7. Driving Habits: Avoid sudden stops, sharp turns, and speeding, as these actions can wear out your tires faster and reduce their lifespan.
8. Spare Tire Maintenance: Don’t forget about your spare tire. Ensure it is properly inflated and in good condition in case you need to use it in an emergency.

In Conclusion: The message is clear: Prioritize’ tire care and safety. Buy reputable tires. Choose new tires over second-hand. Inflate tires correctly. Ensure your tire tread is above 1.6mm. Carry out wheel alignment, balancing and tire rotation at recommended intervals.