A motorist who was paralysed in an accident when driving on part-worn tyres is urging drivers to think twice before buying second-hand rubber.
Keith Johnston, 41, is now paralysed from the top of his chest down after a horrific accident in February.
Johnston was going round a bend in his Renault Scenic when he lost control, bumped across the road and rolled down into a ditch. Police claim that the car's part-worn tyres were a 'major contributory factor' in the accident.
The tyres had only recently been fitted; however, the rear tyres were found to have an illegal tyre tread depth.
"I thought I was saving money with part worn tyres but I've paid a terrible price," said Johnston. "If I knew then what I know now, I would never have bought part worn tyres."
TyreSafe, the UK's leading tyre safety organisation, recently revealed the dangers associated with buying part-worns. Having bought fifty part-worn tyres, a third were revealed to be dangerously damaged, and one was described as having the "potential to kill" due to a nail sticking out of the tread. If the tyre had been fitted to a car, it would very likely have caused a blowout.
Stuart Jackson, chairman of TyreSafe, said: "It's impossible to know the history of part worn tyres and the true extent of any damage which may have occurred inside the tyre. Only by choosing brand new tyres can you be sure that it is free for any hidden dangers and able to offer the safest driving possible."
