THE IMPORTANCE OF… CHECKING YOUR TYRES

Drivers are being urged to carry out some basic safety checks by measuring the tyre tread depth of their vehicles, after research revealed 20% have never carried out this key maintenance task.

The message has come from UK charity Tyresafe, as part of its Tyre Safety Month campaign, which ran during October.

As the charity explained: “The legal minimum tread depth for cars in the UK is 1.6mm throughout a continuous band comprising the central three-quarters of breadth of the tread and around its entire outer circumference.”

Safety standards

The encouragement to check tyre tread depth follows on from the National Highways warning issued earlier this year, urging drivers to check their caravans after research carried out by the DVSA revealed 50% of light trailers were failing to meet road safety standards.

Lacking the legal tyre tread depth makes braking and steering harder, impairing drivers’ safety on the road. In addition, you could also find yourself facing a fine of up to £2500 and the imposition of three penalty points – per tyre.

Tyresafe is now recommending that drivers check their tyres at least once a month, as well as prior to embarking on any long trips.

Checking the tread depth is a relatively simple task – just place a 20p coin in the grooves around your tyres at several spots around the circumference and repeat this across the width, too.

If you can see the rim of the coin at any point, the tyre tread depth could be illegal and should be examined by a professional.

Tyresafe Chair Stuart Jackson said: “The alarming statistics about drivers checking the tread on their tyres further signifies the importance of these campaigns, not just during October, but year-round. It only takes a few moments to perform essential tyre checks each month, and as the winter months approach, adequate grip is a vital component in vehicle handling and braking, especially in the wet.”

Peter Byrne