Device that reduces road accidents hits local stores

By NICHOLAS WAITATHU

A South African manufacturing company Protectall Africa Ltd has launched a new device aimed at reducing runway carnage on roads.

The Protectall Tyre Band is designed to support deflated tyres, preventing them from slipping off the wheel rims. This increases steering, braking and cornering during dangerous situations.  Company Chief Executive and innovator Mike Wilkins says introduction of the new device is informed by the high number of accidents on Kenya roads.

Protectall Africa Ltd has incorporated a local subsidiary to assist in marketing and distributing the product.

The new device made of a non-corroding aluminium band is fitted around the wheel on the rim. It keeps the tyre from disintegrating after a burst, hence ensuring that the vehicle does not overturn.

Wilkins said Kenya, compared with South Africa in terms of economic size, has the highest number of road accidents most of which are as a result of tyre failure. This accounts for about 30 per cent of the road accidents.   “On average, drivers will experience at least one puncture every 18-months and approximately one or two blow-outs in a life time,” said Wilkins.

 Every year, more than 3,000 people die of road accidents in Kenya. In South Africa more than 1, 800 people die annually. “Fitting the Protectall band ensures that following a tyre burst, the rubber does not leave the wheel rim and thus there is no contact with road which would result in the vehicle overturning,” he added.

 The managing director in Kenya Richard Safari explained vehicles fitted with Protectall Tyre bands can travel for up to 25 km at a safe speed after a puncture or blow-out. This allows drivers to reach a place of safety before changing the deflated tyre.

High number of deaths

Safari said Kenya is ranked the fifth highest in number of road accidents worldwide. About 65 per cent of deaths involve pedestrians and passengers, while 35 per cent of pedestrian and passenger deaths are children.

 The device will retail between Sh46, 000 and Sh50, 000 for four wheels with sizes range from 10 to 22 inches. “We have already established three fitting centres in Nairobi and our target is to set up 200 centres where each will be manned by two workers,” he said.

“We are working on a partnering structure with proprietors of petrol stations so that we can be able to undertake the course.”

National Transport and Safety Authority Chairman Joseph Thuo pointed out road safety issues needs a joint approach with the view to preventing the country from further human and economic losses. 

“Every day, we are losing many Kenyans owing to corruption by matatu operators, defective vehicles, and tyre burst incidences,” said Eng Thuo.

 “There has been a lot of resistant from the actors in terms of embracing the reforms being championed by the government.”   He said the authority is developing a comprehensive management approach towards ensuring road safety issues are well undertaken.

Wilkins said the firm will establish a manufacturing plant in Kenya to assist in reducing cost by about by 25 per cent.