Clinton Signs Tire TREAD Act

WASHINGTON--President Bill Clinton has signed into law the Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability, and Documentation (TREAD) Act, which recommends improved vehicle safety through various initiatives.

In addition to numerous tire safety-related requirements regarding manufacturers and recall accountability. A key regulation will require installation of warning systems in new motor vehicles to indicate when a tire is significantly under inflated.

“This new legislation represents a milestone for the automotive industry as it recognizes the importance of tire safety and the critical role played by tire monitoring,” said Robert Rudman, president and chief executive officer of SmarTire Systems Inc., commenting from the SEMA tradeshow in Las Vegas.

“As a company that has specialized in tire monitoring technology, SmarTire is witnessing a dramatic increase in consumer awareness for tire safety products,” he said.

The amendments will result in regulations that will require all new vehicles to have warning indicators for low tire pressure. The amended law specifies that by November 2001, the U.S. Secretary of Transportation will “complete a rulemaking for a regulation to require a warning system in new motor vehicles to indicate to the operator when a tire is significantly under inflated.” The regulation will become effective by November 2003.

SmarTire develops and markets proprietary wireless tire monitoring systems for the North American and European automotive aftermarkets. Through a strategic alliance, SmarTire and TRW Inc. are devising tire monitoring systems for both aftermarket and original equipment applications. (SmarTire is preparing to release into production its Generation II tire monitoring products.)

Additional information is available at www.smartire.com.