Bald tires wear thin on police
The car had two years left on its warrant of fitness, but the driver never checked the tires until it blew while driving.
Peter Wall from Taupo’s Pit Stop has a pile of tires outside his shop completely rubbed to the core. The one thing they all have in common is they were all a potential hazard on Taupo’s roads. ‘‘It happens all the time,’’ he said. ‘‘People just run their tires until they blow up or are well below the safe level.
‘‘The Commodore I just fixed up was a classic example, he had two years on his warrant but never got down on his knees and checked the tire.’’
Luckily the car was not involved in a crash when the tire blew, but Wall is concerned the lack of attention drivers give their tires could be a factor in New Zealand’s high road toll last year.
‘‘We think about 10 per cent of all cars have dodgy tires,’’ he said.
‘‘That’s about 6,000 cars a day that are hazardous driving around Taupo.’’
Wall is not alone in his fears and Taupo police have also issued a warning to all motorists this New Year to help keep the road toll down.
Senior Sergeant Fane Troy of the Taupo Area Road Policing Group said officers are finding tires worn on the inside down to the canvas and steel belts meaning they have a very high chance of failure.
’’We encourage everyone to make sure that they do a TWIRL, (tires, windscreen, wipers, indicators, rust and lights) check of their vehicle before they leave on any journey this year for all vehicles including trailers.
‘‘Unfortunately people believe that as they have a Warrant of Fitness their vehicle is road worthy.
‘‘Vehicles, especially the tires, wear over a period of time and often before the next Warrant of Fitness or service is due.
‘‘Owners and drivers need to take responsibility and check their vehicle is safe before any trip.For themselves, family, whanau and all road users.
‘‘If you do not feel comfortable checking your tires go and see one of the tire shops.’’