PACIFIC GROVE, Calif. — The Tire Retread Information Bureau has lashed out against 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.

Bill S912, filed Jan. 25, would prohibit use of recapped or retreaded tires on truck tractors, pole trailers or semi-trailers operated on public roads, streets or highways in the state of Florida. The proposed implementation date is set for July 1.

TRIB officials say they immediately responded to Senator Crist via e-mail, objecting to the bill, and also sent him a packet of TRIB materials for his review.

On behalf of the entire retread industry, and especially Florida retreaders, 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, said Harvey Brodsky, managing director of TRIB.

Brodsky went on to say he assumed the bill was introduced because of the large amount of tire debris found on Florida highways. He continued by stressing the amount of time and effort TRIB spends on retread education and pointed out that improper tire maintenance is the culprit with most tire debris.

You might be interested to learn that much of the tire debris on Florida highways comes from tires that have never been retreaded, Brodsky wrote. 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 said the state of California recently awarded a $75,000 grant to TRIB for the purpose of promoting the use of retreaded tires on public sector vehicles throughout the state.