Latest update May 12th, 2024 12:59 AM
Feb 07, 2016 Letters
Dear Editor,
I read with dismay, Mr. Freddie Kissoon’s advocating to breach the law banning the use of used tires? Is Mr. Kissoon advocating risking your life to save dollars?
This learned man who has done much research into copious subjects, left me scratching my head on this one. The question of “was a study done on the connection between used tyres and road accidents? And “was it made public?”
What I do know is there is no need for a study within Guyana to come this conclusion. Shall we re-invent the wheel everytime? What you must know is that any tyre that is below the manufacturers’ recommended level is deadly. I shudder to sit in buses and taxis with little or no tire tread. 80% of the used tyres imported sold in this country are unsafe. There is no excuse or rationale for the continued importation of this harmful and substandard product. The only reason liberties are taken with all the bald tyres on 80% of the cars is the dry weather.
If the Traffic Police were to enforce the safety inspection on vehicles we would see a swift return to the bicycle and there would be no recommendation by Freddie Kissoon to defy the ban. I had planned on addressing this matter before this moment, having witnessed several accidents and on closer observation, discovered the state of the tyres that led to blow outs, some fatal and some near misses. For all the bellicose protesting the ban of used tyres and an attempt to justify its continued use due to affordability is a recipe for disaster. Based on tests of new and half-tread-depth tyres, you may want to consider shopping for new ones on your car or truck closer to the 4/32-inch groove depth.
If your tyres are only partially worn, find out how much. Stick a tread-depth gauge (about GY$500-$700 at auto-parts stores) into each of the grooves on all four tyres. Then check how many inches of usable tread remain and match your driving to the tread wear. Road and tyre safety are borderless. No government has a monopoly on standard for tyres. It is international. Which means each government must act in the interest of its citizens. It is not prudent to defer and risk lives because you are too poor or cannot afford an item. A country with a low population as Guyana cannot risk its human resources to avoidable crashes resulting from sub-standard used tyres.
I strongly rebuke Freddie Kissoon’s stance on this ban, I ask him to retract his exhortation to flout the law. It is the most irresponsible view ever. Guyana cannot afford mounting deaths due to crashes. I say crashes because, I am of the view, accidents occur when you have no control. It is as though a writer is at odds with basic spell check or the lexicon. Common Freddie, whose side are you on? Are you on the side of safety or on the side of the purveyors of an unsafe product? Are you on the side of Prevention?
Insurance companies can deny claims to anyone going against the manufacturers’ recommendations, so please cease and desist from purporting and supporting lawlessness!
Louis Nestor
Listen how to run an oil country
May 12, 2024
– GCF yet to respond to concerns regarding race course By Rawle Toney Kaieteur Sports – Some of the country’s leading cyclists are considering boycotting the National Sports...By Anasa Williams Kaieteur News – Millicent Mary Frank was born on May 11, 1924, at Lot 103 Leopold Street, Werk-en-Rust,... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Is it ever justifiable for journalism to fan the flames of geopolitical tension? This question arises... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]