Bill banning retreads scrapped in Florida

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A recently proposed bill to outlaw the use of retreaded tires on trucks in Florida is now a dead issue, according to Harvey Brodsky, managing director of the Tire Retread Information Bureau (TRIB).

The state bill, S912 — introduced by Florida senator Victor Crist — would have prohibited “the use of recapped or retreaded tires on truck tractors, pole trailers or semi-trailers operated on public roads, streets, or highways of (the) state.” However, a required House companion bill was not forthcoming by the March deadline, which effectively killed the senate proposal.

“On behalf of our members and the entire trucking industry in Florida, we are pleased that this is now a dead issue. However, we stand ready to meet with Senator Crist anytime he wishes to take us up on our original offer to create a taskforce in Florida to explore ways to reduce the amount of tire debris on Florida highways,” said Brodsky.

The TRIB leader said the bill would have greatly impeded the retread and trucking industry in Florida and created havoc with out-of-state trucks coming into Florida.

Brodsky has tried to point out to proponents of the ban that “the true cause of tire debris on highways is improper tire maintenance.” Tires that are improperly maintained, such as underinflated, overloaded, or mismatched will likely come apart whether the tires are retreaded or not.

Brodsky urged Crist to help set up a task force — made up of the retread industry and the trucking industry, the Florida Highway Patrol and Department of Transportation, the Florida Trucking Association, and the Tire Industry Association — to further educate the public on the issue.

“TRIB stands ready to spearhead the taskforce if asked,” Brodsky said.