Information for a court summons for worn tyres

ToCrowd

Hey, i was recently stopped by a gardai and told i had worn tyres and to go change them, so i did. however i got a court summons today for 2 worn tyres in the post...

cant find any real info online regards the penalties for it other than "court decided" can anyone help me out here with a little idea of what to expect?
like am i talking 5 penalty points per tire and a court fine?

Any info would be greatly appreciated as i really have no idea how to deal with these things and am greatly concerned that im about to get 10 penalty points on my license.

Gone Drinking

Have you got the receipt from when you bought the tyres after you were stopped? If not, go ask the garage for one (time and dated).

Show this in court and you'll probably get away with a small fee to pay to a childrens hospital (if its your first offence, at least).

If this happens, there won't be any penalty points involved.

ToCrowd

its my first offense, also, have no receipts for the tires, but have records of the cheque i gave to the garage for the tires also i know them so they could probably redo the reciept, Has this happened anyone else before? if so whats the likely outcome?

Reloc8

No penalty points.

Max fine €800 from memory.

You'll get an awful lot less, potentially nothing if you bring your receipt for the new tyres to court and apologise nicely and promise not to do it again.

(future ref - where you pick up multiple summons from one incident, or even different incidents which are dealt with on the same day in court, you only get the points for the highest individual offence).

Buffman

Did he measure it with a tread depth gauge?

ToCrowd

Buffman wrote: »

Did he measure it with a tread depth gauge?

I dont honestly know, i was kinda in shock at the whole thing at the time, never had any dealings with a garda before, let alone one giving out to me about something, she did step away from the window for a few minutes while she wrote something in her notebook, but i didnt watch her i was just looking ahead wondering about it

Reloc8

Probably tread wear indicators ?

Mar4ix

it is crazy, when you get fined because of "bad" tyres, and decision make garda, who has no knowledge of mechanics or tyres. Main thing is ... if you have nct, then tyres have to be fine, otherwise why we need to go to nct, if same checks garda do on roads ???

slimjimmc

Reloc8 wrote: »

Probably tread wear indicators ?

Or down to the wire?

Harcrid

Mar4ix wrote: »

it is crazy, when you get fined because of "bad" tyres, and decision make garda, who has no knowledge of mechanics or tyres. Main thing is ... if you have nct, then tyres have to be fine, otherwise why we need to go to nct, if same checks garda do on roads ???

I dont think it's a bit crazy. I doubt the Guard was making up the fact the tyres were bad. And just because the tyres were ok for the NCT does not mean they wont wear!

Not pointing a finger at you OP but I think most Irish people need to to change their attitude towards tyres as most only seem to change them when they are really badly worn.

Nonoperational

Mar4ix wrote: »

it is crazy, when you get fined because of "bad" tyres, and decision make garda, who has no knowledge of mechanics or tyres. Main thing is ... if you have nct, then tyres have to be fine, otherwise why we need to go to nct, if same checks garda do on roads ???

Ah would you stop. Please.

Mar4ix

gpf101 wrote: »

Ah would you stop. Please.

but really ... ok, i understand, if tyres badly worn to metal threads , and garda ask change tyres, and show up after couple days in local garda station with new tyres... that fine.

Some new tyres more dangerous to drive, then used brand name tyres.

KamiKazi

Mar4ix wrote: »

it is crazy, when you get fined because of "bad" tyres, and decision make garda, who has no knowledge of mechanics or tyres. Main thing is ... if you have nct, then tyres have to be fine, otherwise why we need to go to nct, if same checks garda do on roads ???

Because tyres don't wear inbetween NCTs?

Riiiiiiiight.

Reloc8

Mar4ix wrote: »

it is crazy, when you get fined because of "bad" tyres, and decision make garda, who has no knowledge of mechanics or tyres. Main thing is ... if you have nct, then tyres have to be fine, otherwise why we need to go to nct, if same checks garda do on roads ???

Think for a minute...how often do you need to go to nct ?

ToCrowd

Celtxx wrote: »

I dont think it's a bit crazy. I doubt the Guard was making up the fact the tyres were bad. And just because the tyres were ok for the NCT does not mean they wont wear!

Not pointing a finger at you OP but I think most Irish people need to to change their attitude towards tyres as most only seem to change them when they are really badly worn.

No worries, i have no doubt they were worn, but they were no where near the "down to the wire" situation. not by a long shot, but that doesnt change the fact i was pinged for it, im not contesting her decision, im just asking for information as to what happens next really.

Mar4ix

KamiKazi wrote: »

Because tyres don't wear inbetween NCTs?

Riiiiiiiight.

as op stated, tyres was worn, but not badly ...

yes, tyres do wear between nct , but people shouldn't be fined, because they are not mechanical minded, and doesn't know, when tyres is worn !!!!!! garda should give warning, or something, and order show up in local garda station show new tyres.

simply.

Reloc8

Mar4ix wrote: »

as op stated, tyres was worn, but not badly ...

yes, tyres do wear between nct , but people shouldn't be fined, because they are not mechanical minded, and doesn't know, when tyres is worn !!!!!! garda should give warning, or something, and order show up in local garda station show new tyres.

simply.

People who are so unmechanically minded that they don't understand the idea of tyre wear and the need to have a safe tread depth shouldn't be messing around with mechanically things.

Like cars.

tayto lover

Mar4ix wrote: »

as op stated, tyres was worn, but not badly ...

yes, tyres do wear between nct , but people shouldn't be fined, because they are not mechanical minded, and doesn't know, when tyres is worn !!!!!! garda should give warning, or something, and order show up in local garda station show new tyres.

simply.

I think that people should be given a chance to get new tyres rather than being summoned by the Gardai. People are not experts and tyres can wear on the inside without you noticing them. You should be asked to produce the car within a week with the worn tyres replaced and a receipt from the garage.

TheAnswer

Typical Ban Garda, say nothing at the scene and write you the ticket anyway. She won't even show in court yet you'll waste half a day and case will be dismissed. Make sure you bring the receipt for the new tyres. If she bothers to show up, challenge her, did she use a thread depth gauge etc etc.
Just because tyres are down to the wear indicators does not mean they are "below" the legal limit, just means they are "at" the legal limit.

Reg'stoy

Wow there're some right muppets on this forum, how bad were the tyres that a Garda thought it necessary to write the OP up on them. Not a mention from them about the danger of someone driving around on unsafe tyres.

The Garda in question did the correct thing and wrote up the defect, christ of a fecking bike if some posters aren't giving out about a Garda doing or not doing their job there're telling another poster to get off their 'high horse'.

The OP asked what will likely happen when the go to court, they didn't say that their tyres were or weren't within limits. OP do as advised get a recipt turn up in court the Garda in questions only job on the day is to give evidence as to the state of your tyres, they won't be getting a bonus depending on the courts findings.

The whole sh*te being spouted about how people should be allowed to just get new tyres is symptomatic of the "ah sure it's all right" attitude of irish drivers. One headlight not working, "sure isn't there two on the car" or "it's too hard to change the bulb". Now your tyres are worn, "I'll wait till a Guard points it out" or "there's at least another couple of thousand kilometers in them yet".

The OP didn't care enough about his or our safety by simply checking his tyres every so often and was caught and has now asked what will happen to them. The question has been answered but people can't leave well enough alone so now it turns in to another Garda bashing thread.

SilverBell

TheAnswer wrote: »

Typical Ban Garda, say nothing at the scene and write you the ticket anyway. She won't even show in court yet you'll waste half a day and case will be dismissed. Make sure you bring the receipt for the new tyres. If she bothers to show up, challenge her, did she use a thread depth gauge etc etc.
Just because tyres are down to the wear indicators does not mean they are "below" the legal limit, just means they are "at" the legal limit.

errr....no such thing as a Bangarda any more......

Anyway, the positive points of this are
1 the OP received a lesson in keeping the vehicle roadworthy
2 the Garda could well have prevented an accident by getting the OP to change the tyres.

Tigger

tyres are really really important

this forum annoys me sometimes with all speeding = dangerous and tyres should be a warning

although it gives insite into democrecy and the inforcement in this country of the road traffic acts

Tea 1000

Celtxx wrote: »

I dont think it's a bit crazy. I doubt the Guard was making up the fact the tyres were bad. And just because the tyres were ok for the NCT does not mean they wont wear!

Not pointing a finger at you OP but I think most Irish people need to to change their attitude towards tyres as most only seem to change them when they are really badly worn.

I agree. There's a Focus in Limerick with bald tyres on the front, and on the back passenger side, a space saver which is also bald. Goes to show how long that's on.

Seth Brundle

Mar4ix wrote: »

but really ... ok, i understand, if tyres badly worn to metal threads , and garda ask change tyres, and show up after couple days in local garda station with new tyres... that fine.

Some new tyres more dangerous to drive, then used brand name tyres.

Any examples (given that this discussion is about those below the legal minimum and bearing in mind that Ireland gets a decent amount of rain each year)?

coylemj

I sympathise with the OP who seems to be genuinely sorry for being in breach of the regulations but there is a public policy issue here. If people thought that they could get away with a slap on the wrist by simply buying new tyres after being stopped for driving on bald tyres with less than the legal minimum, then nobody would worry about checking that they had sufficient rubber to maintain a good grip on the road.

Enforcement means that people who are caught driving with defective vehicles should get hammered with a big fine and not be left off with a warning. Otherwise everyone would leave it until they were caught before rectifying the situation and half the motorists in the country would be driving on bald tyres.

Boskowski

I'm amazed at some people who are obviously interested in cars - as they frequent a motors forum - but yet come out with some right cr@p at times.
Do you think threads are just there to look cool? Ever heard of aquaplane for instance? Oh hold on why would you in desert countries like Ireland it only ever rains three times a year.

KamiKazi

Mar4ix wrote: »

as op stated, tyres was worn, but not badly ...

yes, tyres do wear between nct , but people shouldn't be fined, because they are not mechanical minded, and doesn't know, when tyres is worn !!!!!! garda should give warning, or something, and order show up in local garda station show new tyres.

simply.

You'd say the same about brakes right?

Boskowski

Exactly. And 'mechanically minded' my behind. You just have to look at the bloody things and you pretty much know if theyre dodgy or grand or defny past it.

Good to see folks being brought to court for having illegally worn tyres. I often see cars with baldies (often spot them in front at traffic lights), anyone driving about on tyres that have less than 1.6mm thread on them deserve no better. If they don't have a clue about such things a session in court should get them calling into someone who does every few months from then on.

Guy:Incognito

tayto lover wrote: »

People are not experts and tyres can wear on the inside without you noticing them..

Not unless there are other issues like the tracking being off they wont.


Anyway, why not check your tyres when your doing your other checks each week or so like oil levels..............

-Chris-

tayto lover wrote: »

People are not experts and tyres can wear on the inside without you noticing them.

Checking tyres for wear (inside and outside)
Step 1: turn the steering wheel to hard lock, look at front tyres.
Step 2: get on your hands and knees at the back of the car and look at the rear tyres.
Step 3: there is no step 3, it really is that simple.


If a driver can't work that out, I don't know how you trust them to be able to fuel their car with highly flammable liquid every few hundred miles...

krissovo

OP dont listen to the "perfect" citizens on here preaching you broke the law and deserve to be "sent down". We will never know how bad your tyres were and neither will the court. How it got this far is crazy and must have been a bad in the office for the Guard to do this to you.

This will be thrown out of court especially as your tyres were changed on the advice of a guard, same happened to me however my tyres were well within the legal limit. The guard seen one bald spot on the tyre and wrote me up as badly worn tyres.

krissovo

krissovo wrote: »

............. however my tyres were well within the legal limit. The guard seen one bald spot on the tyre and wrote me up as badly worn tyres.

If there was not minimum 1.6mm across the centre 75% of the tyre with visible thread on the rest of it they were illegal. If there was a bald spot I cannot fathom how they were legal.

krissovo

RoverJames wrote: »

If there was not minimum 1.6mm across the centre 75% of the tyre with visible thread on the rest of it they were illegal. If there was a bald spot I cannot fathom how they were legal.

There was over 2mm across the center of the tyre and the rest of the tread was just about visible, the edge of the tyre could have been debatable. It was determined legal by my local tyre shop and also in a court of law.

krissovo

krissovo wrote: »

There was over 2mm across the center of the tyre and the rest of the tread was just about visible, the edge of the tyre could have been debatable. It was determined legal by my local tyre shop and also in a court of law.

In that case there wasn't a bald spot so was there