Liverpool mum welcomes government tyre ban after son was killed in coach crash
The government has announced that tyres aged ten years and older will be banned from lorries, buses and coaches following a campaign by a Liverpool mum.
Frances Molloy has campaigned for a change in the law after her son Michael, was killed in a crash while returning to Liverpool from the Bestival Music festival on the Isle of Wight in 2012.
An inquest into her son's death found a 19-year-old tyre fitted to the front axle of the coach caused the fatal crash.
The move will make it illegal to fit tyres aged ten years or older to the front wheels of lorries, buses and coaches, and all wheels of minibuses.
The Department for Transport said that the decision to introduce the ban follows an "extensive investigation" which indicated ageing tyres suffer corrosion which could cause them to fail.
The secondary legislation will be presented to parliament in the autumn and will also apply to re-treaded tyres -with the date of re-treading to be marked - making the age of the tyre clearly visible.
Frances spoke to ITV News whilst she was still waiting for the review of the government consultation to take place.
Liverpool's BAFTA award winning actress Jodie Comer, knew Micheal, and has long supported his mother's 'Tyred' campaign to take dangerous tyres off the roads.
The "Tyred" campaign, launched by Michael's mother, said the move was a "significant achievement," but a "total ban is still the best course of action to ensure no further lives are lost," as they raised concerns that the new legislation which is to come into force next year leaves "loopholes".
Speaking to ITV News following the announcement, which happened on the 7th anniversary of the inquest into Michael's death, though not coincidental, Michael's mum Frances, said her son has not died in vain.
Roads Minister Baroness Vere, said: "In the same way that you wouldn’t drive a car with faulty brakes, ensuring your tyres are fit for purpose is crucial in making every journey safer.
"Taking this step will give drivers across the country confidence their lorries, buses and coaches are truly fit for use – a safety boost for road users everywhere.
"This change is in no small way the result of years of campaigning, particularly from Frances Molloy, to whom I thank and pay tribute.”
The Department of Transport said the ban came after an extensive investigation, including research which indicated that ageing tyres suffer corrosion which can cause them to fail.
A department spokesman said the secondary legislation would be laid in the autumn.
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