PROPOSAL: 10-year limit for Lancashire coach and taxi tyres


VEHICLES which provide a service to the public such as coaches and taxis should not be allowed to use tyres that are more than 10 years old, according to Lancashire County Council.

Councillors unanimously supported a notice of motion proposed by County Councillor John Fillis, cabinet member for highways and transport, at a meeting of the full council.

He said: “I was fortunate enough to meet Frances Molloy, whose son Michael was killed when a 19-year old tyre blew out on the coach he was travelling on to get home from a music festival.

"When she began to tell me what had happened I suddenly remembered the incident – three people were killed, and it was one of those tragedies that sticks in the mind because the reason it happened was so wrong and easily preventable.

"Although the tyre was so old, it was not illegal as there is no legislation in the UK which gives an age limit to any tyres on vehicles.”

County Councillor Fillis will now write to the minister for transport making recommendations to make sure older tyres are not allowed to be used on vehicles like coaches.

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I still run a vintage bus on tyres that re over 20 years old with no problems.

Are tyres dated?

Dot Codes and Tyre Age
Each tyre carries a DOT code comprising of 11 or 12 letters and numbers. The last four digits identify the age of the tyre, e.g. ‘0102’ shows that the tyre was manufactured in the first week of 2002. Date of manufacture is important because as tyres get older they deteriorate – even if they have been hardly used. For example, vintage cars or caravans which are stored for long periods and not driven regularly could deteriorate over time. When this happens the tyres need to be replaced.

Another reason why a national standard should be adopted for the industry, to prevent local authorities with limited knowledge from making their own rules.

You haven't noticed any problems yet. Over time rubber perishes or becomes brittle.

Yes, I'm well aware of that, but where can one buy NEW 750x20 or 900x20 cross ply tyre these days?? It appears it's now illegal to make and sell them because they cannot comply with the latest anti-noise regulations!