Bill Prohibits Installation of Unsafe Used Tires

WASHINGTON, D.C., November 30, 2018-- Legislation to prohibit the installation of unsafe used tires that pose a risk to Ohio motorists is headed to Gov. John Kasich for signature.

The bill, S.B. 223, introduced by Sen. Frank LaRose (R-Hudson), would clearly define the characteristics of unsafe used tires, prohibit the installation of any such tires on a vehicle that would travel on public highways and violations can be subject to a fine of no more than $1,000 per violation. Additionally, installation of an unsafe used tire would violate the Consumer Sales Practice Act (Sec. 1345.03).

The bill is supported by the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA), the national trade association for tire manufacturers, all USTMA members, the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, the Ohio Manufacturers Association, Ohio Tire and Automotive Association, Ohio Conference of AAA Clubs, the Property Casualty Insurance Association and the Tire Industry Association.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that worn-out tires are three times more likely to be involved in a crash than tires with sufficient tread depth. NHTSA crash statistics indicate that about 200 fatalities and 6,000 injuries are attributed to tire-related causes annually.  

USTMA research shows that more than 30 million used tires are available for sale nationally each year. The legislation does not ban all used tire sales. It targets used tires with specific, well-established, unsafe conditions that are already illegal to drive on in Ohio. 

“Ohio is one step closer to preventing high-risk used tires from jeopardizing safety on Ohio roads,” said Anne Forristall Luke, USTMA president and CEO. 

Tires worn to 1/16th of an inch are considered worn-out and are dangerous because they no longer provide sufficient grip on the road, particularly under wet conditions. Tires with damage exposing steel belts or other internal components threaten a tire’s structural integrity. Improperly repaired tires can suffer loss of inflation pressure or have hidden damage that may contribute to tire failure. Tires with bulges indicate possible internal damage that can lead to tread separation.

“We applaud Sen. LaRose’s leadership in advancing this important safety bill,” Luke said. “We also are thankful to Rep. Robert Sprague (R-Findlay) for leading the House effort. We respectfully encourage Gov. Kasich to give final approval to this measure that enjoys broad bipartisan support.”

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The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association is the national trade association for tire manufacturers that produce tires in the U.S. Our 12 member companies operate 56 tire-related manufacturing facilities in 17 states and generate over $27 billion in annual sales. We directly support more than a quarter million tire manufacturing U.S. jobs – totaling almost $20 billion in wages. In 2017, USTMA members accounted for 82 percent of the 316 million passenger, light truck and truck tire shipments in the U.S.