WASHINGTON, D.C., May 15, 2017 — The New Jersey Senate Commerce Committee today passed legislation to prohibit the sale of unsafe used tires that pose a risk to New Jersey motorists and the public.

S 2790, introduced by Senator Nicholas Scutari (D-Linden), would impose a fine on a business that sells a tire that exhibits any one of several unsafe conditions such as worn-out tread, visible damage or improper repairs.  A companion bill, A 3896, introduced by Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter (D-Paterson) unanimously passed the New Jersey Assembly in November.

The bill is supported by the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA), the national trade association for tire manufacturers, the Tire Industry Association and the New Jersey Gas Station-C-Store-Automotive Association (NJGCA).

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that worn-out tires are three times more likely to be involved in a crash than tires with sufficient tread depth. NHTSA crash statistics indicate that about 200 fatalities and 6,000 injuries are attributed to tire-related causes annually. 

USTMA research shows that more than 30 million used tires are available for sale nationally each year. The legislation does not ban all used tire sales. It targets used tires that have specific, well-established, unsafe conditions.

“New Jersey is one step closer to preventing high-risk used tires from jeopardizing safety on New Jersey roads,” said Anne Forristall Luke, USTMA president and CEO.

Tires worn to 1/16th of an inch are considered worn-out and are dangerous because they no longer provide sufficient grip on the road, particularly under wet conditions. Tires with damage exposing steel belts or other internal components threaten a tire’s structural integrity.  Improperly repaired tires can suffer loss of inflation pressure or have hidden damage that may contribute to tire failure. Tires with bulges indicate possible internal damage that can lead to tread separation.

“We applaud Senator Scutari’s leadership and his commitment and hard work to improve motorist and highway safety,” Luke added. “We also are thankful to Senate Commerce Chair Nellie Pou (D-Paterson) for her leadership to advance the bill today. We will now work with the legislators to schedule the bill for a Senate floor vote as soon as possible.”

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About U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association: The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association is the national trade association for tire manufacturers that produce tires in the U.S. For more information visit www.USTires.org and follow us on Twitter @USTireAssoc.