RMA Supports Ohio Bill to Prohibit Installation of Unsafe Used Tires

June 6, 2016

The Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) supports a bill to prohibit the installation of unsafe used tires that has been introduced into the Ohio legislature.

The RMA says the measures would curb the use of unsafe used tires.

The proposed legislation would prohibit the installation of tires that display visible damage, are worn-out or are improperly repaired, among other conditions. The RMA provided several examples of these conditions:

* Tires worn to 2/32nds inch of tread do not sufficiently grip the road, particularly under wet weather conditions. 

* Damaged tires that expose 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.

RMA estimates that 30-35 million used tires are available for sale every year. A 2015 motorist survey sponsored by RMA found that nearly 1 in 10 motorists said their car is currently riding on tires that were bought used.

“Safety is the highest priority for the tire industry,” says Anne Forristall Luke, RMA president and CEO. “This common-sense legislation to keep dangerous used tires off the road will help improve highway and motorist safety.”

The bill (HB574) was introduced in the Ohio House on May 23, and the Senate measure (SB336) was introduced on May 24.

Both bills introduced into the House and Senate define "unsafe" used tire to be a used tire to which any of the following criteria applies:

(a) The tire is worn to two-thirty-seconds of an inch tread depth or less on any area of the tread.

(b) The tire has any damage exposing the reinforcing plies of the tire, including cuts, cracks, punctures, scrapes, or wear.

(c) The tire has an improper repair.

(d) The tire shows evidence of prior use of a temporary tire sealant without evidence of a subsequent proper repair.

(e) The tire has a defaced or removed United States department of transportation tire identification number.

(f) The tire is a recalled tire whose sale is prohibited under federal law.

(g) The tire has any inner liner damage or bead damage.

(h) There is indication of internal separation, such as bulges or local areas of irregular tread wear indicating possible tread or belt separation.

Both bills say an "improper repair" means any of the following:

(a) Any repair to a tire in the tread shoulder or belt edge area.

(b) A puncture that has not been both sealed or patched on the inside and repaired with a cured rubber stem through the outside.

(c) A repair to the sidewall or bead area of a tire;

(d) A puncture repair of damage larger than one-fourth of an inch.