St. Petersburg, FL – Some Florida lawmakers say used tires are a real threat to the safety of the roads.
Now, one senator is hoping to set standards that would ban the sale of unsafe used tires. Senator Greg Evers staffers say it's not just about safety, but also protecting Floridians from used tire businesses taking advantage of what people don't know about used tires.
SB 236 would make it illegal for businesses to sell used tires with seriously worn tread, cracks, cuts, bulges and bad repairs among other things.
"If I have any question, if it's marginal then I throw them out," says Bill Marler, owner of Ybor Tire. Marler sells both new and used tires. He says businesses who sell tires described as unsafe in the legislation don't deserve to be in business. "It's not about money, it's about being safe."
It is currently up to the buyer to beware when it comes to used tires. Marler showed 10News some easy ways to see if a used tire is unsafe. He suggests laying the tire on the ground and stepping on the sidewall then look for red flags. He also says it's important to maintain your tires by checking the air pressure, rotating your tires and doing a quick inspection of your tires once a month.
To read the proposed legislation in full:
