The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has identified vulcanizers as significant contributors to road accidents in the Upper East Region, attributing 30% of crashes to faulty tires and unprofessional practices in the tire repair industry.
According to the NRSA, many vulcanizers lack the proper tools and expertise to assess and repair tires, instead relying on substandard methods such as metallic hammers and manual labor. These practices often result in improper installations, increasing the risk of accidents.
To address the issue, the NRSA, in collaboration with the Ghana Standards Authority, is set to regulate the activities of vulcanizers.
John Quarshie, the Upper East Regional Public Relations Officer of the NRSA, announced that a licensing system will be introduced to ensure professionalism and monitor operations.
“We will license them and monitor their activities to ensure they adhere to safety standards,” Quarshie stated.
This initiative follows the NRSA’s transition from a commission to an authority in 2019, granting it full regulatory powers under a Legislative Instrument (LI). The LI empowers the authority to enforce road safety standards, promote compliance, and reduce road crashes nationwide.
Quarshie emphasized that the NRSA is now better positioned to implement stricter measures, including regulating the use of unapproved vehicles for student transportation, another pressing concern.
The crackdown on vulcanizers is part of the NRSA’s broader commitment to improving road safety and reducing preventable accidents.
Quarshie urged stakeholders to support the initiative, stressing that professionalizing the tire repair industry is critical to saving lives.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Moses Apiah|Bolgatanga
