Ohio's new used tire legislation takes effect

COLUMBUS, Ohio —Ohio's new law prohibiting the installation of unsafe used tires took effect July 1, according to the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association—which championed the law—and the Ohio Tire and Automotive Association.

The new piece of legislation was signed into law in mid-December by then-Ohio Gov. John Kasich.

Ohio law already allows law enforcement to ticket motorists who drive on tires exhibiting specific unsafe conditions, the USTMA said, while the new law adds a layer of consumer protections by penalizing retailers that knowingly install unsafe used tires.

The law defines unsafe used tires are those that:

• have less than 2/32nds-inch tread depth;
• show damage exposing the reinforcing plies of the tire, including cuts, cracks, punctures or scrapes;
• show damage not repaired to industry standards; and
• have damage to the inner liner or indication of internal separation, such as bulges or local areas of irregular tread wear indicating possible tread or belt separation.

The enactment of this law makes Ohio the third state—after Colorado and New Jersey—to prohibit the installation of unsafe used tires.

The bill classifies a violation of the act as a "minor misdemeanor" subject to a fine of up to $1,000 for each offense.

Enforcement of the law falls under the pervue of the Ohio attorney general's office.

The law also provides for consumers to recover up to $5,000 in "non-economic" damages in addition to rescinding the sale and/or recovering the sale outlay.

The USTMA quoted figures from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that worn-out tires are three times more likely to figure in a crash than tires with adequate tread depth. More than 30 million used tires are made available for sale annually throughout the U.S., the USTMA said.