Stay on track this month
TyreSafe warns drivers to check their tread and stay safe as part of Tyre Safety Month
DRIVERS often check their tyres as the worsening weather of winter approaches – but it’s a task that all motorists ought to perform regularly all year round.
And that’s the message from the charity TyreSafe throughout October, which is national Tyre Safety Month.
TyreSafe is encouraging the nation’s drivers to get into the routine of checking their tyres at least every month.
The organisation says more than half of Britain’s motorists are driving on poorly maintained or defective tyres.
It claims that results in the UK’s drivers wasting at least £600million annually on fuel, while nearly 170 are killed or seriously injured in tyre-related incidents.
That average number of casualties has been consistently higher than those caused by mobile phone use while driving during the past five years.
Driving without the correct amount of air in tyres makes a vehicle more difficult to control and reduces the amount of grip it has on the road. It also increases fuel bills, tyre wear and the risk of being involved in an incident.
Lumps, bumps, cracks and cuts are a sign your tyre may be dangerous and need replacing.
All tyres should have a tread depth above the minimum legal limit of 1.6mm to ensure the tyre remains in contact with the road in the wet.
Yet more than 27 per cent of tyres are already illegal when they are replaced and over 70 per cent are below 2mm when replaced.
The Tyre Safety Month message is being supported up and down the country throughout October with local participating tyre dealers offering free tyre safety checks.
But there are also three simple checks that motorists can do themselves for air pressure, tyre condition and tread depth.
The vehicle manufacturer provides at least two air pressure recommendations – one for light loads and another for when the car fully loaded. Simply use an accurate pressure gauge to ensure the vehicle’s tyres are at the correct settings.
Every tyre should be free of cuts, lumps or bulges, so if you see anything unexpected, have it inspected by a