ENSURE YOU ARE DRIVING ON SAFE, ROADWORTHY TYRES AT ALL TIMES

MAKING sure your car has four roadworthy tyres at all times is a big part of ensuring your vehicle can safely and legally be on the road. According to the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), 35% of fatal accidents are caused by tyre bursts and tyre condition. This means that car tyre safety in South Africa is a widespread problem, with many motorists driving on worn or damaged tyres. Requirements for roadworthiness are a tread depth at least 1.6mm, but this can be driven off in a few thousand kilometres.

The importance of tyre treads

The treads in your car tyres are carefully designed grooves or channels which provide the traction needed for them to grip the road properly in hazardous conditions, when the road is wet or slippery. Treads work by forcing water away from the tyre, helping it to keep a solid grip on the road’s surface. They also help the car to change direction correctly as you steer it.

The dangers of driving with worn tyres

As the treads wear away and the tyres become “bald”, your risk of an accident on the road increases. Even on safe, dry roads in good weather conditions, worn tyres present a hazard. Here are a few risks of driving with unroadworthy tyres:

● Driving generates friction between the tyres and the road’s surface, causing heat build-up. Faster speeds generate more heat. Treads allow for airflow between the grooves, but bald tyres become vulnerable to excessive heat build-up, which can cause a blowout. This can cause you to lose control of your car, especially at high speeds.

● Bald tyres with shallow treads increase the risk of “aquaplaning” – sliding uncontrollably across the road in wet weather. When a layer of water gets between the tyre and the road’s surface, it can easily lose its grip and cause you to lose control of your car.

● In South Africa, we don’t often have to deal with snowy or icy roads, but it’s important to note that these are also very hazardous conditions for driving with worn tyres.

● Bald tyres lose air faster than those with good tread depth. Under-inflated tyres make your car harder to steer, and can also cause skidding.

● Worn tyres can affect your ability to break, which can cause collisions.

Did You Know? Studies by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) have shown that nearly 20% of accidents involving minibuses have tyre failure as a contributing factor. Basic tyre safety rules for roadworthy tyres ● All tyres (including the spare tyre) must have a tread of at least 1mm deep, and for those with a tread depth indicator, 1.6mm deep is considered to be roadworthy.

● The brand, size and tread pattern of all tyres must be the same.

● Your tyres must always be replaced with the same size designation as recommended by the vehicle or tyre manufacturer.

● Always look for the SABS stamp of approval to ensure you are getting the real deal.

● Check your tyre pressure (including the spare tyre) once a week or before starting a long journey. s Inspect all tyres regularly for punctures, cuts and bulges.

● Have your tyres professionally checked regularly, and replaced when necessary.

Tyres can be expensive to replace, but this is a small price to pay for your safety and that of other motorists. Be sure to get a regular roadworthy check (see https://www.avts.co.za/roadworthy-test-sheet/) and have your tyres and wheels checked at every annual service, to ensure you are driving on safe, roadworthy tyres at all times.