Vehicles which provide a service to the public such as coaches and taxis should not be allowed to use tyres which 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 recent 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.
“The coroner found that the tyre failed due to its age, and said that action should be taken to prevent future deaths. 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 asking that legislation be introduced that would:
- prevent public service vehicle operators from using aged tyres regardless of their outward condition.
- formalise the current research and guidance that advises tyres more than 6 years old should not be fitted and should be removed and replaced regardless of condition when 10 years old.
- make it illegal to operate coaches with such tyres fitted.
He added: “It is clear that such risks can no longer be tolerated and the government sho! uld act now in order to prevent any further deaths being caused by old tyres. I’m pleased and proud that members of all parties at Lancashire County Council have given their full support to this excellent campaign.”