Posted on 3rd Apr 2019
It’s a sad fact that as we age, we feel increasingly less able. It may begin with a few aches and pains and progress through to when we finally decide to take things a lot easier.
It’s just part of life. We instinctively know when it’s time to slow down a bit, take on less and accept our limitations. Happily, in the modern age, this time comes a long way down the road, and most live full and active lives. The same idea applies to things in our lives. Our possessions ultimately wear out, and when their useful life is over, we dispose and replace.
This notion certainly applies to the old tyres on our vehicles, especially ones that are 10 years or older. Of course, an MOT test should discover problems associated with old tyres ensuring that illegal rubber is replaced. But there’s a lot of time between these annual inspections. There’s plenty of opportunities for problems to emerge. To offset these issues there are ongoing discussions regarding new legislation that will affect the commercial vehicle sector.
It is likely to mean that tyres over 10 years old will become illegal on larger vehicles. These moves follow from a tragic coach accident in 2012 caused by the failure of a nineteen-year-old tyre. In the wake of this tragedy ‘Tyred’ campaigners have pressed for the application of a ten-year ‘precautionary principle’. That idea is now gaining traction. As Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling said recently:
“Keeping people safe on our roads is our priority, and we have been working hard to understand the link between tyre age and road safety.”
Because of the 2012 accident the DVSA guidelines now state that buses, coaches and HGVs should not have tyres over 10 years old on the front axle. It’s now likely this will become a general principle for all commercial vehicle tyres. This could then be enforced in law.
Soon, the use of old tyres may be subject to fines and sanctions for transport firms who fail to check their fleet’s aged rubber.
Any changes that improve road safety are to be applauded. While the new legislation may slightly increase costs, the reputational harm to commercial transport businesses of accidents caused due to old tyres would be much more damaging.
There is an upside to these changes. Driver wellbeing should be a top priority for any company, and research shows that stopping the use of tyres over 10 years old could be a major contributor to driver safety. Whatsmore, well-maintained, good quality tyres have a proven, long-term impact of fuel efficiency. With ever-rising fuel prices, ongoing investment in premium tyres could very easily offset any additional costs.
The team at Truckcraft Bodies are very much in favour of this new legislation. We want to see our sector thrive and accidents caused by shortsighted cost-cutting will not help. We design our truck conversions to be of the highest quality for long working life. We don’t want to see them involved in unfortunate incidents caused by old tyres.
That’s why we urge our industry colleagues to make the required changes even before any legislation is enacted.
For more information or a demonstration of any of the Truckcraft range, please contact the Truckcraft Bodies sales team on 0161 304 9404. Alternatively, email glen.pinder@truckcraftbodies.co.uk or emma.jane@truckcraftbodies.co.uk.