Tyresafe tells paralysed driver’s story in part worn tyre investigation
TyreSafe is carrying out an investigation into part worn tyres available in the UK alongside Auto Express magazine, and the organisation has recently uncovered the story of a driver from Tyne and Wear, who suffered paralysing injuries as a result of his car losing grip when running on recently-purchased part-worns. Keith Johnston, is now permanently paralysed from the top of his chest down, only able to move his arms and neck. He told TyreSafe that he hopes his story will urge other drivers to think twice about which tyres they choose.
With temperatures well below freezing at the time of the accident, Johnston’s car lost control going around a bend, bumping across the road and rolling down a ditch. Miraculously the four passengers in the car escaped uninjured. All of the tyres on the car had recently been purchased in a part-worn condition and a police investigation blamed them as a major contributory factor in the accident.
The front pair had only been recently fitted but the rear tyres were found to have an illegal tread depth even though they had only been on the car for a couple of months. Johnston had always bought part worn tyres and replaced them every few months, unaware of the safety risks associated with buying used tyres.
“I thought I was saving money with part worn tyres but I’ve paid a terrible price,” he said. “If I knew then what I know now, I would never have bought part worn tyres. Unfortunately for me it’s too late but I would urge other drivers to steer clear of part worn tyres and always opt for brand new ones.”
Apart from the severe physical injuries he has also experienced damaging emotional scars, often enduring nightmarish flashbacks to 8 February when he was driving his Renault Megane Scenic near Carlisle.
Johnston has already spent several months undergoing intensive rehabilitation in hospital but he is hoping to return home shortly when he will have to adapt to his new life with round-the-clock care: “My life has changed for ever but I hope that some good can come out of it. My message is think again if you are considering fitting part worn tyres.”
98% of sample illegal
TyreSafe has recently revealed the first alarming findings of its ongoing investigation it carried out with Auto Express magazine into part worn tyres. Having bought 50 part worn tyres, the tyres were inspected by an independent tyre expert who found that 98 per cent of the tyres were being sold illegally. However, perhaps more concerning was that over a third of the tyres were found to contain other potentially dangerous forms of damage or non-compliance with part worn tyre legislation.
Indeed, one tyre was described as having the “potential to kill” as it still contained a metal object penetrating 5cm through the tread in a manner which was likely to result in sudden and total tyre failure had it been fitted to a vehicle. Other serious safety breaches included dangerous and unsafe repairs, exposed cords, bead damage and evidence of runflat damage.
Stuart Jackson, chairman, TyreSafe: “All tyres suffer from wear over time but TyreSafe always advocates the fitting of brand new tyres as the safest option. It’s impossible to know the history of part worn tyres and the true extent of any damage which may have occurred inside the tyre. Only by choosing brand new tyres can you be sure that it is free for any hidden dangers and able to offer the safest driving possible.”
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