Published: August 15, 2008 11:58 pm            

Retreads not so bad

To the Editor:

We are writing to comment on the article (“With high gas prices no such thing as a free ride to school,” The Edmond Sun, Aug. 14). Deer Creek School District Operations Director Richard Vrooman is quoted as saying “We have slowly replaced all of the retreads and only run new tires on our buses all around, although the state only requires new tires on the front.”

We believe this is a wasteful mistake. Although retreaded tires are not allowed to be used on the steer (front) axles of school buses, by not using them on the rear tires Vrooman is wasting money that could be put to better use by the school district.

Retreaded tires are safely used by thousands of school buses all across the country with a safety record absolutely as good as that of the best quality new tires. They have saved, and continue to save, school districts millions of dollars annually.

Our industry appreciates the concern that parents might have regarding the safety of their children on school buses, especially in view of the recent tragic bus accident in Sherman, Texas. But it is important to look beyond the headlines and learn that the retreaded tire in question was improperly used on a steer (front) tire position. Also, for those who have carefully read about the crash, there is much more to the story — terrible maintenance, a driver who never should have been allowed behind the wheel, etc.

We will be happy to send readers of this letter a free Retread Tire Information Packet and a DVD showing how retreaded tires are successfully being used by school buses, airlines, fire engines and other emergency vehicles and millions of other types of vehicles worldwide. Our packet includes a booklet explaining what really causes all the tire debris on our highways as much of it comes from tires that have never been retreaded.

Our packet can be ordered by calling our toll free number 888-473-8732, or by sending an e-mail to info@retread.org.



Harvey Brodsky

Pacific Grove, Calif.



HARVEY BRODSKY is managing director of Tire Retread & Repair Information Bureau/TRIB.

        

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