RSA criticised over delay in responding to tyre industry submission

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has been criticised over the delay in responding to a submission by the tyre industry calling for regulation of the sale and use of part-worn tyres.

Continental Tyres’ chief Tom Dennigan told a media briefing in Dublin that the tyre industry had submitted its proposals for new controls last December but, apart from an acknowledgment received last February, there had been no further communication from the RSA.

And he warned that the unregulated sale of second-hand or part-worn tyres which now accounts for a larger sector than previously thought, involves tyres that have come from ‘End of Life Vehicles’ (ELVs) – cars and vans that have been involved in accidents.

“Ask yourself, would you be happy letting the safety of your family depend on tyres that may previously have been on a vehicle involved in an accident or, perhaps, even written off,” he asked.

In a review of the industry here, Continental Tyre Group said that despite “continued economic and market challenges”, it estimates the Irish car, 4×4 and van tyre market will be in the region of two million tyres per year.

There were also “some very notable trends in the market place”‘ the group said.

In terms of tyre size, the 205/55 R16 remains the most popular tyre size in the Irish market with a 25pc share. Popular vehicles in Ireland for this size include the Audi A3, Ford Focus and VW Golf.

In terms of rim size, 14″ and 15″ continue to decline in the face of continued growth in popularity of 16″ and 17″ rims, Continental said.