Giving old tyres the boot

Recently we reported how The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) had announced that they will carry out follow-up investigations with vehicle operators if their inspectors find a tyre more than 10 years old as part of their routine heavy vehicle enforcement work. Also if the operator cannot give an adequate explanation for using an old tyre, or their tyre management systems are not up to standard, the DVSA may refer them to the Office of the Traffic Commissioner for potential regulatory action.

Please view: https://www.pib-riskmanagement.co.uk/news/feeling-old-and-tyred/

The UK’s Transport Research Laboratory has been working with a leading laboratory in the United States to carry out testing and analysis to establish the effect age has on the integrity of road vehicle tyres. The results of this research are expected to be published later in the spring.

In the meantime, the Department for Transport has now announced plans to consult on legislation to make it illegal for buses, coaches, heavy goods vehicles and mini-buses to run with a tyre aged 10 years or over. The press statement can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-to-consult-on-ban-on-10-year-old-tyres-to-boost-road-safety