October is Tyre Safety Month

As part of the month long awareness campaign Council is encouraging everyone to be aware of the potential safety issues associated with using part worn tyres.

Rory Donnelly, Environmental Health Officer at Coleraine Borough Council said, “Tyre Safety Month is designed to educate every one on the potential dangers associated with using part worn tyres.

“Results of a previous survey carried out on the use of part worn tyres within the Coleraine Borough in 2012 were very similar to those found in surveys of part worn tyres carried out throughout the UK. This research concluded that 92% of all part worn tyres tested, had failed to fully meet the requirements of The Motor Vehicle Tyre (Safety) Regulations 1994.

“The findings also concluded that 57% of part worn tyres tested failed with regard to labelling alone; 22% of part worn tyres tested failed to meet the requirements in terms of not having a 2mm tread pattern across the full breadth of the tyre, and around its entire circumference; 22% of part worn tyres tested failed to meet the requirements by having one or more of the following: lumps, bumps, tears, exposed ply or cord, penetration damage or cuts in excess of 2.5 mm or 10% of tyre section width where the ply has been exposed and a staggering 35% of all part worn tyres tested has serious faults that would potentially affect the safety of the tyre

“The current economic climate continues to result in an increase in the sale of part worn tyres which appear to offer consumers value for money, however I’d like to remind everyone that they can also present a serious risk to drivers. Anyone purchasing second hand tyres should be fully aware of the risks in using a tyre that has previously been fitted to another vehicle as they may have considerable wear and tear.”

Coleraine Borough Council in its bid to determine the current level of compliance throughout the Borough has proposed to undertake ‘test purchases’ over the next few months. These involve tyres being examined to ensure suppliers are selling safe goods to consumers.

Council reminds suppliers of part worn tyres that in the event that breaches of the ‘The Motor Vehicles Tyre (Safety) Regulations 1994’ are detected, follow up action will be taken in accordance with Councils Enforcement Policy.

Any consumers with concerns or enquiries about part worn tyres should contact the Environmental Services Department at Coleraine Borough Council on 028 70347171 or by emailing [email protected] A consumer advice leaflet can also be accessed via Coleraine Borough Council’s website at www.colerainebc.gov.uk. Additional information on general tyre safety being available at www.tyresafe.org.