Authority considers use of coloured tyres

By Sarafina Sanerivi 03 February 2017, 12:00AM

The Land Transport Authority (L.T.A.) is assessing the use of coloured tyres in Samoa. 

This was confirmed by the Acting Chief Executive Officer, Titi Tutuvanu-Schwalger. 

Last month, a businessman and mechanic questioned the use of coloured tyres, specifically, green tyres in Samoa.

Francis Uhrle bought green tyres from one of the local companies but his car was stopped by an officer of L.T.A. saying the tyres are not allowed and should be removed.

However, the Minister of Works, Transport and Infrastructure, Papali’i Niko Lee Hang, later confirmed there was no particular law to prohibit the use of coloured tyres in Samoa. 

“If they are cheaper then why not?” said Papali’i.  

“But I can’t recall any law prohibiting vehicles from using coloured tyres… I can’t see the problem with a car driving around with coloured tires. Those days we used to have white wall tyres. I don’t see that anymore.” 

Mr. Uhrle said that even after the confirmation from the Minister that it is not illegal to use coloured tyres; the L.T.A. officials still stopped his car.

“There is no law to stop or prohibiting the use of coloured tyres in Samoa,” said Mr. Uhrle.

“So I don’t know why L.T.A. is stopping my car.

“I have had the tyres for more than six months and all of a suddenly they say we cannot use them,” he told the Samoa Observer.  

“I had also queried the Police traffic officers whether there is a law about coloured tyres which they responded no.”

As a qualified mechanic from New Zealand, Mr. Uhrle said any product that is sold is passed by inspections to be safe.

“I don’t see anything unsafe about the coloured tires,” he said.

“You know what’s not safe? The second hand tyres that they sell at second hand shops. They are not safe.

“I don’t understand why the L.T.A. is prohibiting the use of coloured tyres in Samoa when there is no law.”

L.T.A. was contacted for a comment, but they said the C.E.O. is on leave until next week.

The Acting Chief Executive Officer of L.T.A; Titi Tutuvanu Schwalger, replied to an email sent to them, confirming that there is no law against the use of coloured tyres.

However, she said L.T.A. currently allows only private vehicles to have coloured tyres.

“L.T.A. being the regulator of Public Service Vehicles (P.S.V.) has prohibited Public Service Vehicles namely buses and taxis to use coloured tyres for the time being,” she said. 

“Meanwhile L.T.A is currently assessing the use of coloured tyres in order to decide on whether such a feature is appropriate and safe for use on P.S.V.”

By Sarafina Sanerivi 03 February 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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