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Part Worn Africa, a new pan-African consumer, tyre and road safety advocacy, has called on governments and regulatory bodies across the African continent to enforce stronger regulations on part-worn and second-hand tyres. In a statement released by the advocacy group on Monday, Part Worn Africa said the inability to enforce stricter safety and quality standards on the use of tyres leaves African road users vulnerable to unsafe and illicit part-worn tyres that have cost the lives of many.

The group, whose mandate is to increase awareness about the causes, challenges and consequences of illegal and dangerous tyres on the African continent, said Africa has the highest rate of road traffic deaths in the world, with 26.6 people killed per 100,000 inhabitants. Studies reveal that defective tyres are a leading cause of fatal collisions. The United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety (2011-2020) called on African countries to implement concrete actions to improve road safety and halve road deaths by 2020. 

"There is a need to protect road users by developing, enforcing and monitoring compliance with appropriate legislative and regulatory standards and specifications for second-hand and part-worn tyres, uniformly across Africa,” said Abdul Waheed Patel, Director of Part Worn Africa. “Drivers who may be experiencing financial pressure often choose unverified cheaper tyres without being aware of the associated safety risks.”

The advocacy group said safety certification for a part-worn or second-hand tyre is imperative. It said there are limits and thresholds for tyres. Once these limits have been reached, tyres should be safely disposed of in accordance with regulated tyre waste management practice. However, many of these unsafe tyres are returned into the African market, with unsuspecting and financially-strapped drivers becoming the victims.

Part Worn Africa said it will work with governments, regulatory bodies and multi-sectoral interest groups across Africa to address the policy, legislative and regulatory deficits that expose unwitting consumers to this major hazard on Africa's roads. There are currently inadequate legislative and regulatory frameworks and no minimum safety and quality standards in Africa around second-hand or part-worn tyres.