Written answers

Tuesday, 20 September 2011

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Road Safety

9:00 pm

Photo of Derek KeatingDerek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Question 524: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he will take by ministerial regulation or legislation to address the growing practice of the sale of part worn tyres which may contribute to serious deficiencies in transport standards and may even contribute to road traffic accidents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25038/11]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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While there is currently no legislation that explicitly bans the sale of second hand or part worn tyres, there is legislation in place governing the condition and standard of tyres. Statutory Instrument No. 5 of 2003 (Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) Regulations) sets out the specific requirements with respect to tyre condition and tyre tread depth for vehicles. Specifically, it requires that a vehicle should not be used on a public road if:

· the main grooves of the tread pattern of the tyre do not have a depth of at least 1.6 millimetres throughout a continuous band around the entire outer circumference of the tyre,

· the tyre is not maintained in such condition as to be fit for the use to which the vehicle is being put or has a defect which might in any way cause damage to persons or damage to the surface of the road.

Furthermore, when undergoing the roadworthiness test all cars, goods vehicles and buses have their tyres inspected for tread depth, condition and the presence of European approval (E or e) marks. I have no proposals, at present, to introduce additional legislation in this regard.

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