A new legislation that prohibits mounting damaged old tires on automobiles within Ohio, US, will come into force July 1 next year after the state’s governor has signed a bill.

According to the legislation, it will become illegitimate to sell tires to further use on roads if there are any damages exposing internal elements, including steel materials; or, if they have been improperly repaired; if their tread depth is less than 1/16-inches; or, if there are bulges.

If one fails to comply with the new law, it will be treated as a “minor misdemeanor” and the offender will have to pay a fine maximum of $1,000. It is still unclear who will enforce the law.

The newly signed legislation, Bill 223, has been endorsed by the tire producers group, USTMA. According to the USTMA, tires that fail to have required tread depth are three times more likely to be involved in road accidents. The association also provided statistics revealing that over 700 people die in the United States in crashes because of damaged tires each year. One of Ohio Tire & Automotive Association members commented on the issue saying that the new legislation could prevent numerous wounds and deadly incidents provoked by hazardous tires.

Prior to Ohio, similar bills endorsed by the USTMA and modelled on the association’s values regarding old tires, have been approved by two more states, New Jersey and Colorado. Earlier, Texas attempted to approve the bill endorsed by the USTMA; however, the Governor Abbott vetoed the law.

Article by Canada.