By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
THE burning of tyres on bitumen roads is illegal as it will create potholes that will result in fatal accidents and costly repairs, National Road Safety Council (NRSC) chief executive officer Frank Aku said yesterday.
“I strongly urged police to charge those who burn tyres on bitumen roads,” he said.
Mr Aku made the remarks following the burning of tyres on bitumen roads at Gerehu Stage 6 in Port Moresby by local residents to celebrate the arrival of the New Year.
“It may be a fun way to celebrate but it will lead to nasty accidents, especially on roads in residential areas.
“A car hitting the pothole will veer off the road and smash into houses occupied by people. Children playing in their yards or people just relaxing within their residential areas may be victims of such accidents.”
Mr Aku said fumes from burning tyres were also hazardous and could affect the respiratory system of the people breathing it.”
Mr Aku said that it was costly to repair potholes.
“A pothole the size of a tyre might cost about K5,000 to fix. If it is not fixed, it would quickly lead to more cracks on the road and eventually it might cost a million kina to upgrade the whole road.”