TyreSafe welcomes UK initiative to ban old tires

London – UK road safety awareness group TyreSafe has welcomed a recent government initiative to ban tires aged 10 years or older, saying it highlights the importance of the safety of part-worn tires for the public.

The ban follows research commissioned by the UK Department for Transport’s (DfT), showing that ageing tires can fail as a result of corrosion, DfT announced 15 July.

The DfT report, said TyreSafe in a subsequent statement, acknowledges that there is a “strong cross-industry consensus in support of an improved market organisation for second-hand tires that should be regulated as for new or re-treaded tires."

“Ensuring tires are fit for purpose is crucial – they provide the only point of contact between a vehicle and the road,” said Stuart Jackson, TyreSafe chair in the 16 July statement.

According to Jackson, from among the many factors that can negatively impact the tire performance, the ageing process is one which has received significant attention. 

“The government’s willingness to address that concern has to be welcomed as it can only reduce the risks of a tire-related incident,” Jackson added.

The TyreSafe official also welcomed the acknowledgement of “the wide-spread concern over the safety of part-worns,” saying the DfT report suggests that further activity may be forthcoming to address issue.

According to TyreSafe, a recent joint study in collaboration with Trading Standards has has revealed that nearly two-thirds of tires that were inspected were unsafe.

"TyreSafe is here to educate and raise awareness on tire safety and the results of our investigations... have done just that," Jackson concluded.