According to the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA), an estimated 20 million to 25 million used tires enter the domestic market each year.
How many of them are re-sold? The RMA wants to limit that; as a result, it is supporting Texas legislation that will, in essence, make selling an "unsafe" tire in Texas a punishable offense.
You might think the act of selling something unsafe, at least knowingly, already would be covered by law. The key to the law, however, is its definition of what constitutes an "unsafe" used tire.
It is an interesting bill that if passed, will affect Texas dealers and may lead to a call for a similar bill nationally.
“Any used tire is a risky proposition since it’s impossible to know the service history of a tire used by someone else," said the RMA in defense of the bill. To read what else the RMA had to say about SB 459, including its testimony before the Texas Senate Transportation Committee, read "RMA supports ban of 'unsafe' used tires."
To read what Modern Tire Dealer Editor Bob Ulrich, who does not support the bill, has to say, check out his latest blog, "Used tires get abused in Texas state legislature."
Do you think the legislation is necessary? Do you think the Texas bill is the first salvo in getting rid of used tires completely? Let us know what you think by leaving a comment!
