Zambia's decision to ban secondhand tyres receives backlash

Zambians on Friday took to social media to express their misgivings on plans by the country's road safety agency to ban secondhand tyres, saying it was not a solution to curb road carnages.

Early this week, the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) said it had proposed a legislation banning the use of secondhand tyres on the country's roads to reduce road carnage.

The road safety agency said having a law banning the use of secondhand tyres would go a long way in improving law enforcement on conditions of motor vehicles on the country's roads.

But some motorists and other stakeholders said banning secondhand tyres will not solve the problem of road carnage in the country and have since asked the road safety agency to rescind its decision.

Some motorists felt that the road safety agency should first of all consult all stakeholders instead of rushing to introduce a law banning the use of secondhand tyres.

Others took to social media to express their concerns on the plans, with some saying it will only increase corruption on the roads.

Another stated that the government should take into consideration hundreds of young people who are earning a living through the selling of secondhand tyres.

Authorities in Zambia have in recent weeks expressed concern over the increased levels of road traffic accidents in the country and have been trying to come up with measures to arrest the situation.

According to the road safety agency, 1,100 people died from road traffic accidents in the first half of this year. Endit