Key players in vehicle tyre industry in the Ashanti Region are protesting implementation of regulations on tyre use in Ghana.

Interest groups want the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) to have legislation on the issue amended to suspend next month’s scheduled implementation.

They are also calling for adjustment of approved tyre life span from six years.

The Commission says averagely over 15 per cent of vehicles involved in accidents are found to have tyre defect.

Officials told a public sensitization forum in Kumasi that five per cent of road crashes are caused by tyre burst or blow-out.

The forum was to create a platform for key players in the vehicle tyre industry to streamline concerns raised for smooth enforcement of the Regulation 62 of the Road Traffic Regulations 2012 (LI 2120) on the September 1, 2015.

The Legislative Instrument 2120 seeks among others to approve the use of rubberized Class A or B tyres with which can withstand heat and contain air to meet the specification of the manufacturer.

The Regulation also approves only importation and sale of tyres that are only 4-years from manufacturing date with a life span of up to 6 years.

Target groups including vulcanizers, tyre importers and retailers, transport operators and drivers complained their views were not sought in the passage of the regulation.

The Second Hand Tyre Importers Association leads the protest.

Ashanti Regional Chairman of the association, Samuel Adjei-Adomako, has asked for the suspension of the enforcement to allow more time for public education.

“Majority of about 75 per cent are using used tyres. They have to educate us so that we can bring the standard tyres they are talking about,” he said.

The Road Safety Commission appears convinced by the agitated groups.

Director in charge of Planning and Programs, David Osafo Adonteng, will not rule out possible amendment of the Legislative Instrument. He says the genuine concerns raised at the forum will receive the needed attention.

“They have raised series of concerns which means that we need to go back to the drawing board. So we’ve taken all these in good fate. We have asked them to submit their proposals regarding two critical areas they raised; regarding the date of manufacture and then the four years that we are talking about and then also the implementation date. They think that it is too close,” he noted.

Mr. Adonteng has hinted of a possible amendment to the yet to be implemented law.

“Once they bring their proposals, the technical team will meet again and look at the way forward. If it is making some amendments to the law, of course we will go ahead, go through the procedures and do it accordingly,” he said.