The Tire Retread Information Bureau (TRIB) has responded to a bill introduced by Florida State Senator Victor D. Crist that would prohibit the use of retreaded tires on most commercial vehicles on Florida highways.

The state bill, S912, “prohibits the use of recapped or retreaded tires on truck tractors, pole trailers or semitrailers operated on public roads, streets, or highways of this state.”
If approved, the ban would take effect July 1, 2007, according to Harvey Brodsky, managing director of TRIB.
In an e-mail message sent to Crist, Brodsky said, “We believe this bill would greatly impede the retread and trucking industry in Florida and would create havoc with out of state trucks coming into Florida.
“We assume you have introduced this bill because of the large amount of tire debris found on Florida highways. If this is the case, we certainly understand your concern and, in fact, our industry shares it. The Tire Retread Information Bureau spends an enormous amount of time and resources to educate truckers and other motorists about the importance of properly maintaining their tires.
“We do this because the true cause of tire debris on highways everywhere is improper tire maintenance. Tires that are improperly maintained (underinflated, overloaded, mismatched on dual wheel positions, misaligned) will fail and come apart, given enough time – and it doesn't matter whether the tire is a retread or one that has never been retreaded.
“You might be interested to learn that much of the tire debris on Florida highways comes from tires that have never been retreaded. To blame retreads for tire debris on our highways is the same as blaming a vehicle for an accident caused by a drunk driver. The blame is simply misplaced, and to outlaw the use of retreads on Florida highways falls into the same category.”
Brodsky also said there is a federal executive order (13149) that mandates the use of retread tires on most federal fleet vehicles. And, he added, California just awarded a $75,000 grant to TRIB to promote the use of retreaded tires on public sector vehicles throughout that state.
To talk to TRIB about the proposed legislation, call (831) 372-1917 or e-mail info@retread.org.
To contact Sen. Christ, call (813) 975-6658 or e-mail crist.victor.web@flsenate.gov.