As I reflect on the alarming rate of road accidents in Cameroon, where a staggering 20% of fatalities (according to the Ministry of Transport) are attributed to vehicle faults, I realize the significance of regular vehicle inspection.
I had the privilege to participate in a capacity building workshop in vehicle inspection from 04 to 09 November 2024, under the supervision of Mr. François NKENGUE MBONO, Country Director of CEMEX Automobile Testing Stations in Cameroon. This training was in the framework of the project “VEHICLES FOR BETTER PLANET: DECARBONIZING TRANSPORT IN CAMEROON” including a theory phase and hands-on experience in the field. Here is a summary of my overall learning experience
By definition, vehicle inspection is the compulsory and routine check of various essential parts of a vehicle system to ensure its proper functioning, the safety of users and the population, and limit environmental pollution.
The following describes the sequence of events that occurs in an automobile testing system;
1. Identification of the vehicle this is to ensure that the data collected effectively reports the vehicle that is being tested.
2. Regularizing the pressures in the vehicle's tires. This is a very important step, which, if not done, will lead to faulty values and, hence, the failure of the test.
3. Visual inspection of certain important components such as the safety belt and the mobility of the driver's seat.
4. Control of the vehicle's wheel alignment done on the shifting bench. It is required that the deviation of each set of wheels should not be greater than 10%
5. Control of the brakes' efficiency done on the braking bench. Here, the Controller accelerates the vehicle continuously and brakes it abruptly which will generate values of the frictional forces on the screen. The brake efficiency must be greater than 52% to be considered acceptable.
NB: The test should be carried out two to three times before the final value is recorded to eliminate any moisture present on the tires.
6: Control of the Suspension System done on the suspension bench. Each wheel is caused to vibrate generating a waveform of the screen. The deviation of each set of wheels (that is front and back) should not be greater than 30%.
7. Verification of the steering ballpoint point using a lifting crossbar for light vehicles and a game board for heavy-duty vehicles because they can't be lifted. Here, the Controller manually rotates the wheels to perceive the ease with which it changes direction.
8. Control of the headlights using a headlight regulator. This is to ensure that the headlamps are properly adjusted to avoid obscuring the view of other road users.
9. Control of the exhaust gases using a gas analyzer for petrol engines and an opacimeter for diesel engines. The percentage of CO and water vapor emission when the vehicle is accelerating and when it is decelerating is compared to standard values to ensure the vehicle is not polluting.
NB: All these tests are done electronically, and the values cannot be manipulated given that each vehicle testing station has network cables connected to the server of the Ministry of Transport, where these values are sent automatically.
At the end of the test, the secretary issues a report of the test, whether it was successful or not, and the Controller gives the user recommendations. If the test is unsuccessful, 14 days is given for reparations before the test is reconducted. Beyond the 15th day, the system will be blocked and the user will pay again.
Vehicle inspection is an important aspect for all automobile users. Not only does it help prevent road accidents and environmental pollution, but it also reduces unnecessary costs and enhances the vehicle's life.
I am immensely grateful to the Project Leads, Stephen Kome, Dindze Olive, Tevoh Ndingwan, etc, Open Dreams, and all other stakeholders who made this memorable experience possible.
By Nordine Shutang'21
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