Part-worn tyres are becoming a greater threat to safety across the UK. That’s the result of a new study carried out TyreSafe. And now it’s calling on Trading Standards offices across the country to enforce existing regulations in a bid to help improve consumer safety.
The study, which involved the purchase of 50 random part-worn tyres from retailers across the UK, found that 98% were being sold illegally as they did not meet current requirements.
More concerning was that more than a third of the tyres were found to contain potentially dangerous forms of damage or non-compliance.
“Despite clear legislation, it would appear from our investigation that the sale of illegal part worn tyres is a very real problem and needs to be tackled head on by Trading Standards as a matter of urgency,” TyreSafe chairman Stuart Jackson said.
“Those who sell illegal part-worn tyres need to be educated and stopped as it really it could be a matter of life and death.”
And as if further proof was needed, one tyre in its investigation was described as having the “potential to kill” as it still contained a metal object penetrating 5cm through the tread in a manner which was likely to result in sudden and total tyre failure had it been fitted to a vehicle.
Other serious safety breaches included dangerous and unsafe repairs, exposed cords, bead damage and evidence of runflat damage.
Despite TyreSafe’s ongoing campaigning, tyre safety remains a significant problem in the UK. Last year there were more than 1200 road casualties where illegal, defective or under-inflated tyres were a contributory factor.
“TyreSafe fully understands the budgetary pressures felt by many public sector departments but we would still urge Trading Standards offices to prioritise whatever resources they have to tackle rogue traders who continue to flout the law by selling illegal part worn tyres,” Jackson added.
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About Jim McGill
Jim McGill is an award-winning motoring and motorsport journalist with more than 25 years' industry experience. He contributes to a number of newspapers and magazines, including The Times, Telegraph, Daily Mail, Scotsman, Sunday Herald and AA Magazine.
It’s hard to comprehend why people put everyone’s life at risk to save a few pounds. At Really Good Driving SchoolGlasgow we always advise our learners to avoid this practice. After all, tyres are the only grip a vehicle has on the road – how many of us would go out with someone elses old shoes on?