Transport Minister to receive aged tyre report
Speaking at the inquest into a fatal coach crash caused by the catastrophic failure of a 19-year old tyre, Surrey coroner Richard Travers stated that he would ensure the DfT was officially informed about the dangers posed by aged tyres. The tyre responsible for the crash was older than the coach it was fitted to, had never been regrooved or retreaded, was purchased second hand by the coach operator – and was completely legal.
“The real explanation that this tyre failed so catastrophically is through age,” said Travers. “I formally announce that I will be writing a Rule 43 (of the Coroners Rules 1984) report to draw attention to the Minister for Transport of the very dangers caused by the fact that vehicles, be they private, commercial or public are legally able to drive on tyres without restriction on age and by reason of age are potentially in a perilous condition which there is no realistic means of detecting.”
A Rule 43 report is submitted when a coroner believes evidence given at an inquest points to circumstances where a risk of future deaths exists. Persons or organisations that receive a Rule 43 report must send a written response within 56 days; the response must provide details of any action that has been taken or has been proposed, or provide an explanation when no action has been proposed.
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