The Public Relations Officer of the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), Pearl Adusu Sateckla, has stated that 10 percent of all deaths related to road accidents are caused by substandard tyres.

Speaking to Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, she noted that many drivers lose control of their vehicles due to the poor quality of their tires and other vehicle components.

“We all have a responsibility as Ghanaians to help reduce road accidents. There are several factors leading to road accidents. But the four major ones are speeding, inattention, and the use of mobile phones while driving. Speeding is one of the major issues. Some drivers drive above the speed limits. Speeding leads to several deaths when accidents occur. Inattentiveness is also another issue. It involves several factors. They are those who use their mobile devices when driving. They WhatsApp; they chat with others while driving. Others may also be going through some challenges, including money-related problems, among others.

“The other issue is loss of control, which is usually caused by inferior tyres. Ten percent of all crashes or accident-related deaths are caused by inferior tyres. The engineering system, the electrical system, the engine, the steering, and other parts of the vehicle should always be examined to ensure that they are in good condition. Drunk driving and wrongful overtaking are also contributing factors,” she said.

According to data provided by the NSRA, the number of road fatalities over the period of five years due to various causes shows a concerning trend. In 2019, there were 2,284 reported road deaths, which increased to 2,589 in 2020.

The year 2021 saw a significant rise to 2,924 fatalities. In 2022, the number slightly decreased to 2,179, but the following year saw a small drop to 2,089 fatalities.

The NSRA's findings emphasize that among these fatalities, a consistent 10% are attributed to accidents caused by inferior tyres. This statistic translates to an average of 221 deaths annually linked to the use of poor-quality tyres.