The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Anambra State, Mr. Sunday Ajayi has described expired tyres as death traps, saying they have led to the untimely death of many motorists and road users.

He made the statement at Nteje, Oyi Local Government Area of the state during a public awareness programme on expired tyres with the theme, “Know Your Tyre.”

Mr. Ajayi pointed out that vulcanizers have contributed largely to the untimely death of many road users because of their lack of knowledge in expired tyres and the correct quantity of air needed to inflate a tyre.

Ajayi said: “You depend on the vulcanizer who does not know much about tyre life span.

“Just like we created awareness on seatbelt, that same way we want to inform you on tyres in other to save lives.”

The Sector Commander who was represented by the sector's Head of Operation, Mr. A. K. Okere stressed that Tyre has a life span of four years whether used or not adding that what is seen on a tyre at the time of purchase is date of manufacture, which comes in four digits.

He explained that the first two numbers in the four digits connote week of manufacture while the rest two connote year of manufacture.

On the importation of expired tyres, he said that arrangement is in high gear between FRSC and the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) to stop the importation of expired tyres into the country.

He urged road users not to go to the market to buy expired tyres and start experimenting with people’s lives, saying that a greater number of deaths on the roads are as a result of use of expired tyres.

On his part, the Sector Head of the Policy and Statistics department, Mr. H. C. Ezugwu said that a tyre can expire if it is in the booth for four years adding that any tyre that has lasted whether used or not should be discarded.

Earlier in his address, the Nteje Unit Commander, Mr. Justine Bosah, represented by the Unit head of operations, Mr. M. A. Yusuf, expressed satisfaction with the large turnout of road users and charged them to discard any tyre that has been used to cover 80,000 km.

He attributed sudden tyre burst to overloading and weakness as a result of burden on the vehicle.

In their various contributions, the Chairman of vulcanizers in Oyi Local Government Area, Mr. Paul Onwuakpaelo Akwangwere, blamed importers for importing expired tyres while the Chairman of Awkuzu/Nkpor Drivers Welfare Association Chief Osita Okafor expressed satisfaction with the operations of Nteje unit of FRSC and urged all to abide by the lecture even if the economy is bad.

Highlight of the event was the distribution of fliers to the drivers by the sector commander, Mr. E. O. Agomuo that was the master of ceremony among others.