89TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION S. 2669 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES OCTOBER 19, 1965 Mr. MAGNUSON introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce A BILL To establish safety standards for motor vehicle tires sold or shipped in interstate commerce, and for other purposes. 1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 3 That this Act may be cited as the "Tire Safety Act of 1966". 6 (a) The term "interstate commerce" includes commerce 7 between one State, territory, possession, the District of 8 Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and another 9 State, territory, possession, the District of Columbia, or the 10 Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. 11 (b) The term "motor vehicle" means passenger cars 1 and station wagons used on the highways except those regu2 lated under clauses (1), (2), and (3) of section 204 (a) 3 of the Interstate Commerce Act (49 U.S.C. 304 (a) (1) 4 (3)). 5 (c) The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Com 6 7 merce. MINIMUM SAFETY STANDARDS FOR TIRES 8 SEC. 3. In order that motor vehicle accidents caused by 9 tire failure can be kept to a minimum, the Secretary shall 10 11 12 13 establish and publish, as interim minimum safety standards, in the Federal Register the tire safety standards substantially as prescribed in regulation V-1 by the Vehicle Equipment Safety Commission, an interstate agency established pursuant 14 to the joint resolution of the Congress relating to highway traffic safety approved August 20, 1958, as the initial mini 15 16 17 18 mum safety standards for motor vehicle tires. IMPROVING STANDARDS SEC. 4. (a) Two years after the effective date of this 19 Act and thereafter as he deems necessary the Secretary shall 20 21 22 review and revise to the extent necessary the minimum safety standards prescribed pursuant to section 3. Such revised standards shall be published in the Federal Register and 23 shall become effective on the date specified in the regulations. (b) In such revised minimum standards the Secretary shall prescribe the maximum permissible loads for each motor 24 25 1 vehicle tire, and the application of such maximum permissible 2 load standards. (c) In order to carry out this section, the Secretary— (1) is authorized to conduct a research and development program to improve minimum new tire safety standards; (2) is authorized to conduct a research and development program to develop minimum safety standards for retreaded motor vehicle tires; (3) shall consult with tire manufacturers, and other interested industries, technical organizations, State, local and interstate agencies concerned with tire safety, and tire users; and (4) shall take into consideration such factors as size, load-carrying ability and its relation to the type of expected use, skid resistance, blowout resistance, resistance to curb striking and pothole or bump dainage, cornering ability, rim resistance and such other factors as he deems relevant. 20 DEVELOPMENT OF PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR GRADING 21 TIRES 22 SEC. 5. In order that the consumer may make an in23 formed choice in the purchase of motor vehicle tires, the 24 Secretary is authorized and directed to develop a uniform 25 grading system for motor vehicle tires. The Secretary shall |