Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, has introduced legislation to allow tires that meet federal safety standards to be manufactured, sold and used across Washington without any additional state or local regulation.
“Tires are critical to vehicle safety, especially in Washington’s rugged and wet conditions,” Walsh said in a statement. “People in Washington should be free to choose the tires that best meet their needs without bureaucratic overreach limiting those options.”
Walsh pre-filed House Bill 1041 on Wednesday, which he said is a response to ongoing discussions on reducing rolling resistance on tires to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. According to Walsh, while reducing the rolling resistance of tires can reduce the car’s fossil fuel usage, it can also reduce the safety of the tires, as deeper tire treads create additional traction in dicey conditions.
“So many so-called ‘green’ laws and policies are more about control than actual environmental benefits,” Walsh said. “Limiting tire options does practically nothing to protect the environment, but it can make vehicles more dangerous to drive in rain or snow. Let free people choose what kind of tires to buy.”