Baru Bian: Retreaded tyres cause over 10,000 road accidents annually

GEORGE TOWN: The Works Ministry is concerned that over 10,000 accidents that occur on highways in Malaysia each year are caused by retreaded tyres.

Its Minister Baru Bian said based on the statistics he received, this would amount to about 30 accidents a day due to the use of retreaded tyres.

"There are two contributing factors I am concerned about – that of overloaded lorries and the use of retreaded tyres.

"To have this many accidents because of retreaded tyres is serious.

"There are safety issues that arise from the use of these tyres. This boils down to enforcement," he said at a press conference during a working visit to the Malaysia Highway Authority, northern region Office, Penang on Friday (Jan 4).

He also said there should not be heavily overloaded vehicles on the road.

"I hope this is looked into and how enforcement should be taken seriously," he said.

Baru also officiated the abolishment of the motorcycle toll for the Penang Bridge and the Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge, which came into force from Jan 1.