State of Virginia Study Vindicates Retreads
In the 1999 session of the Virginia General Assembly, A House Joint Resolution was passed requesting the Department of State Police to "study the need for state standards for recapped vehicle tires.'' A committee of 10 was appointed to make the study. Included were representatives from the Virginia Department of State Police, Virginia Department of Transportation, Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, Virginia Trucking Association, Virginia Tire & Automotive Service Dealers Association, a private Virginia trucking company and a Virginia retreader.
As part of the study, the Virginia Department of Transportation conducted a Tire Debris Collection Survey on three different sections of heavily traveled interstate highways. During the eight week survey, an estimated 127,522 pounds of tire debris was collected over 658 miles of Virginia highways.
After careful review of the available information the Study Committee was convinced that the problem of tire debris along Virginia highways is not due solely to retreaded tires. "Examination of the debris reveals many of the tires are new and have never been recapped." (emphasis added)
The study concluded by stating, "Based on the results of this study, this Committee does not recommend the development of state standards. There is a misconception that all tire debris problems are attributed to retreading operations, which is not factual. (emphasis added) Furthermore, imposing standards would only affect the 3.5 percent of retreaders that operate in Virginia."
In lieu of developing state standards, the Committee recommended the following action:
Concentrate on public education concerning proper tire maintenance and the importance of maintaining recommended air pressure in tires.
Encourage key members of the tire industry to maintain strict industry standards and follow recommended practices and processing guidelines.
Forward all available information to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration for their review and consideration in developing Federal Standards for recapped tires designed for large commercial motor vehicles.
For a complete copy of the Final Report of the Department of State Police NEED FOR STANDARDS FOR RECAPPED TIRES, Commonwealth of Virginia, Richmond, 2000, contact the Tire Retread Information Bureau, telephone 831/372-1917, fax 831/372-9210, E-Mail: retreads@aol.com.
