COLUMBUS, Ohio—Passage of a bill banning the road use of unsafe used tires would be a major protection to consumers, a representative of the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association testified before a committee of the Ohio House of Representatives.
"Requiring automotive service professionals to be appropriately accountable when they return used tires back to road service is a simple, reasonable attempt to protect consumers," Courtney Titus Brooks, UTMA director government relations, said during a Jan. 30 committee hearing.
Ohio Senate Bill 223 passed the Ohio Senate in December, the USTMA said. SB 223 defines unsafe tires as:
- Worn-out tires with tread depths of under 2/32 inch;
- Tires with damage that expose inner components such as body plies or steel belts;
- Tires with inner liner damage;
- Tires with improper repairs; or
- Damaged tires treated with tire sealants but not subsequently repaired to industry standards.
Tire retailers and auto repair shops that violate the statute would face fines of up to $1,000 per violation, the USTMA said.
The Indiana legislature is considering a similar used tire bill that is also supported by the USTMA. A used tire safety bill became law in New Jersey last year, but another was vetoed in Texas.