Group wants NHTSA to study recall results

Washington DC- A safety consulting group with close ties to trial lawyers wants the US-based National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to examine the effectiveness of a massive tyre recall in 2000.

Safety Research & Strategies Inc. of Rehoboth, Massachussetts, claimed in a letter to NHTSA that recalled tyres still are causing death and injuries. The group wants the agency to study the recall of 6.5 million Firestone ATX and Wilderness AT tyres in August 2000. Bridgestone/Firestone and Ford Motor Co. recalled the tyres that were original equipment on Ford Explorers and other Ford SUVs after tread separation accidents caused 271 highway deaths.

SRS claims recalled tyres, particularly spares, "are likely to be put into service in the future with equally devastating results."

A BFS spokeswoman said a review of the recall is unnecesary, "We are very proud of the efforts we made," she said. "But no recall is 100-percent effective, and NHTSA will tell you the same thing."

From Rubber & Plastics News (A Crain publication)