2023/7002/XI
EC/EFTA
GB Vereinigtes Königreich
  • B00 - BAUWESEN
2023-07-24
2023-04-24

The draft Regulation will ensure that tyres aged 10 years or older are not fitted to the front axle of every HGV, bus and coach on the road, nor on all axles, in single configuration on minibuses, by expanding on the existing Construction and Use regulations to set a maximum tyre age.

The Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2023

Following two collisions, resulting in eight fatalities, where Coroners concluded that old tyres fitted to the front axles of heavy vehicles were a contributory factor, there are safety concerns arising from the use of old tyres on the front axles of heavy vehicles.

Heavy goods vehicle (HGV), bus, coach and minibus owners/operators may not be aware of the dangers associated with older tyre use, or the increased social benefits (through road safety) which may materialise from replacing older tyres fitted to front axles on HGVs, buses and coaches and on all axles in single configuration on minibuses.
Data suggests a minority of these heavy vehicle owners/operators continue to use tyres aged 10 years or older on front axles even in the presence of Driver Vehicle and Standards Agency (DVSA) published roadworthiness guidance and industry information that advises against their use.
The policy looks to ensure that tyres aged 10 years or older are not fitted to the front axle of every HGV, bus and coach on the road, nor on all axles, in single configuration on minibuses, by expanding on the existing Construction and Use regulations to set a maximum tyre age.
The intended effect of this policy is to improve road safety by reducing the possibility that collisions involving HGVs, buses and coaches occur due to the failure of old tyres on front axles, or for minibuses due to the failure of old tyres in single configuration on all axles.