Cumbria Police to check safety of used tyres (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Cumbria Police to check safety of used tyres

5:08pm Monday 21st January 2013 in News

POLICE have warned drivers to take care buying used tyres after it was revealed 98% of those sold aren’t road safe.

Cumbria Police and Cumbria County Council’s Trading Standards team will be visiting retailers in February to raise awareness of the law in a bid to improve safety standards.

Each part worn tyre is required to be inspected against criteria including its structural integrity, tread depth and standard of repairs.

Angela Jones, Trading Standards Service Manager said: “As household finances remain squeezed, we know that more drivers are turning to part worn tyres.

"While we maintain that new tyres are the safest option, we need to ensure that those opting for part worns buy only those which comply with legal requirements in order to minimise any safety risks.” It is estimated that more than four million part worn tyres are now sold annually in the UK.

PC Shaun McKeown, a Forensic Vehicle Examiner for Cumbria Constabulary, said: “We are committed to checking every aspect of tyre safety and will be working alongside Trading Standards to check local garages to make sure that the tyres which are being sold are fit for purpose.

"In these financially difficult times, it is understanding that people will look to save some money and by a tyre which they believe is ok but at a cost price. We want to make sure that people are not putting their lives at risk.”