Civil Jury Instructions Home

3.7-9  Statutory Negligence - Unsafe Tires

Revised to January 1, 2008

The plaintiff alleges that the defendant operated (his/her) vehicle with unsafe tires in violation of General Statutes § 14-98a.  This statute provides that "[n]o person shall operate a motor vehicle or trailer upon the public highways unless such motor vehicle or trailer is equipped with tires in safe operating condition in accordance with requirements approved by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles."  In this case the plaintiff alleges that the defendant violated the standards established by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles with respect to tire wear or tire tread.  Specifically, the plaintiff alleges that the defendant violated <specify the Motor Vehicle Department standard(s) the defendant is alleged to have violated and the factual basis for the claim>.

Notes

General Statutes § 14-98a requires the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to establish standards of safe operating conditions for tires including specifications governing tread wear and tread depth.  Reference should be made to the applicable standards in accordance with the particular facts of the case.