6/22/04-A bill before the Senate Transportation Committee would expand enforcement of state and federal laws and regulations concerning tire safety by authorizing State Police officers to conduct random roadside examinations of motor vehicles for the purpose of determining whether their tires meet state and federal safety standards.
Current state law allows any law enforcement officer to require drivers to submit to a vehicle inspection if the officer believes that the vehicle is unsafe and to issue a summons to drivers of vehicles found to have unsafe tires. A tire is considered unsafe if it has: any ply or cord exposed; any bump, bulge or knot affecting tire structure; any break repaired with boot or patch; or worn so that the tread wear indicators contact the road in any two adjacent major grooves at three locations spaced approximately equally around the outside of the tire. Also, tires are required to have at least one inch of rubber tread on the tire’s surface.
S1305, sponsored by Sen. Anthony Bucco, R-Boonton, is intended to strengthen tire safety standards by amending current law to define tires with tread or sidewall separation as unsafe.
Violators would be subject to a fine between $100 and $1,200 and/or up to 15 days in jail.
For bill status, call (609) 292-4840. In New Jersey, call 1-800-792-8630.