Pay attention to your tyres this Transport Month
JOHANNESBURG – Checking your tyres could mean the difference between life and death.
As we celebrate Transport Month this October, it’s a good reminder to keep safety as a top priority while on the roads.
The Recycling and Economic Development Initiative of South Africa (Redisa), which has a depot in Midrand and depots across the country, encourages all South Africans to change their behaviour and create safer roads.
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Redisa revealed that according to the World Health Organisation’s 2015 Global Status Report on road safety, road accidents claim more than 1.3 million lives across the world annually.
In South Africa, accidents can often be prevented because more than 90 per cent of incidents occur when traffic regulations are violated, according to Redisa.
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Director at Redisa, Stacey Davidson said, “Redisa believes that improving driving habits and tyre maintenance will go a long way towards saving lives and alleviating the environmental issues caused by over 200 000 tonnes of waste tyres generated every year.”
Redisa tyre tips to educate motorists on how to stay safe on the roads:
- You’ll find the correct pressure for your vehicle in your Operator’s Manual. In most cases, the pressure is shown either under your fuel cap, on the inside of your door or in the cubbyhole. Check your tyre pressure on a cold start or before a long journey;
- Check regularly for any signs of irregular wear, any sharp objects lodged in the tread and any cuts, tears, cracks or bulges. Check for damage or uneven wear on all four tyres, on both sides of the tyre and on the wheel rims;
- You’ll need an accurate pressure gauge. Take off the dust cap on the valve, fix on the pressure gauge and make a note of the result. If your tyre needs extra air, you should inflate it using an air pump at home. Under-inflated tyres use more fuel. If the tyre is overinflated according to the pressure chart, you can allow air to escape while the dust cap is off;
- Never rely on the eyeball method to gauge air pressure in tyres. Other than the vehicle’s brakes, tyres are the most important safety components of your car. If there is an imbalance in the tyre pressure, there could be a risk when braking and negotiating corners. In addition to putting you at risk of an accident, incorrect tyre pressure can also affect fuel economy, comfort and the life of the tyre.
