Why tyre maintenance must top your road safety checklist
By Temitope Adebayo
In Nigeria, drivers often underestimate the vital importance of tires—those unassuming rings of rubber that serve as a vehicle’s only point of contact with the road. While engine performance and brake systems usually receive the spotlight during vehicle maintenance, tires are equally—if not more—critical to ensuring a safe and efficient driving experience.
The Overlooked Guardians of the Road
Tires are not just simple rubber components; they are highly engineered tools designed to provide grip, absorb shocks, and maintain vehicle stability. Their interaction with the road directly influences a car’s ability to accelerate, brake, and manoeuvre safely. In a country like Nigeria, where road conditions can be unpredictable and hazardous, tire maintenance is a non-negotiable aspect of road safety.
Unfortunately, many Nigerian drivers pay little attention to tire upkeep, often overlooking it until it’s too late. Even the most advanced vehicle systems are rendered ineffective if the tires are worn out or improperly maintained. A car cannot stop safely, no matter how powerful its brakes, if its tires cannot grip the road.
Tire Tread Depth: A Lifesaving Feature
One of the most crucial indicators of tire health is tread depth. Treads are the grooves that help maintain traction, especially during adverse weather conditions such as heavy rain or muddy roads, common occurrences in many parts of Nigeria. As tires wear out, the tread becomes shallow, reducing grip and increasing the likelihood of hydroplaning, where a vehicle glides uncontrollably over a layer of water.
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Driving on bald tires during the rainy season is akin to walking on a wet floor with worn-out shoes—it’s a disaster waiting to happen. Properly maintaining tread depth is essential for road safety, particularly in wet or slippery conditions.
The Hidden Dangers of Tire Pressure: Underinflation and Overinflation
Tire pressure plays a critical role in overall vehicle performance. Underinflated tires increase surface contact with the road, leading to excessive friction, overheating, and potential blowouts. Overinflated tires reduce contact with the road, diminishing traction and making the vehicle harder to control, especially in emergency manoeuvres.
Nigeria’s fluctuating temperatures make regular pressure checks even more important. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reports that tire blowouts remain a leading cause of road accidents. Maintaining correct tire pressure can significantly reduce these risks and promote safer driving.
Regular Inspections: A Preventive Lifeline
Routine tire checks are essential for catching issues before they escalate. A simple visual inspection can reveal cracks, bulges, or uneven wear—symptoms that may indicate alignment or balancing issues. Given Nigeria’s pothole-ridden roads, such inspections are critical.
Practices like tire rotation, alignment, and balancing not only extend tire life but also improve vehicle handling. In a country where long-distance travel on rough terrain is common, these procedures become even more vital.
Saving Lives, Money, and the Environment
Tire maintenance isn’t just about safety—it also offers economic and environmental benefits. Properly inflated and maintained tires enhance fuel efficiency by minimising rolling resistance. With fuel prices being a significant concern for many Nigerians, this can lead to meaningful cost savings over time.
Environmentally, longer-lasting tires reduce waste. Disposing of fewer used tires helps address Nigeria’s growing waste management challenges, contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable environment.
The Human Toll of Tire Neglect
The consequences of ignoring tire health are tragic. Each year, thousands of accidents on Nigerian roads are linked to tire failures, many of which could have been prevented. According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), tire-related crashes are among the top causes of road fatalities in the country.
Beyond the statistics are real people—families torn apart, futures lost, and communities impacted. Tire maintenance may seem like a minor chore, but it is one of the most effective ways to safeguard lives on our roads.
A Call to Action
Tire maintenance should never be an afterthought. Ensuring your tires are properly inflated, have sufficient tread, and are free from damage can be the difference between a safe journey and a fatal accident.
In the bigger picture, tires might appear to be a small component of vehicle maintenance. Yet, they are the very foundation of safe driving. By prioritising tire care, we not only improve road safety but also contribute to economic savings and environmental sustainability.
Nigeria’s roads may be unpredictable, but with well-maintained tires, we can travel them more safely, confidently, and responsibly.
