O’Dowd launches public consultation on the use of tyres 10 years or older on certain vehicle types

Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd has launched an eight week public consultation seeking views on banning the use of tyres 10 years or older on certain vehicle types.

This includes the front axles of heavy goods vehicles, buses and coaches and on all axles of minibuses when fitted in single configuration. It does not include private cars.

Minister O’Dowd said:

“In recent years the safety of older tyres on heavy vehicles has become a matter of increasing concern. There have been a number of very serious road traffic collisions involving coaches and trucks, some with tragic consequences where the accident investigator or a Coroner concluded that the tyre failure was as a direct result of its age.

“I believe there is no compromise on the issue of road safety and I want my Department to be proactive where it can be. This consultation document seeks your views on proposals to introduce legislation making it an offence to use tyres 10 years or older on heavy goods vehicles and larger vehicles used to transport passengers.

“I would welcome your feedback on this important road safety issue and I would encourage all of those with a vested interest to complete the consultation.”

The consultation will be open for eight weeks and will close at 23.59 18 December 2022. Documents are available at: 

• Citizen Space: https://consultations2.nidirect.gov.uk/dfi-1/ban-of-tyres-aged-10-years-or-older-on-hgvs
• https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/consultations/consultation-ban-tyres-10-years-or-older-heavy-goods-vehicles-buses-coaches-and-minibuses

Notes to editors: 

1. Amending the existing Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999 (No 454) (the "Construction and Use Regulations") and using the current, associated enforcement regimes is the most effective method to implement this change for HGVs buses, coaches and minibuses.
2. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk
3. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800 hrs and 0800 hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.
4. Follow the Department on Twitter @deptinfra and on Facebook @DepartmentforInfrastructure

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