When you jump into your car and you’re late for an important meeting or you’ve got to pick up the kids from school, how much thought do you give to the condition of your car? And we don’t mean the sweet wrappers, hair bands and other detritus which gets left in most people’s cars through ordinary life.
Presumably you’re aware of your fuel, and perhaps you give some thought to your oil and water. But what about those grubby things that actually transport you from point A to point B! Yes, we mean your tyres.
As we approach the Autumn, we’ve taken the opportunity to review an article about tyre safety; a couple of years back, TyreSafe, the UK’s leading tyre safety organisation, reported that dangerous tyres are responsible for more than 40% of vehicle defect related deaths. TyreSafe is a not-for-profit organisation, and so not in league with any of the tyre manufacturers.
The report resulted from figures released by the Department for Transport (DfT) which highlighted the need for drivers to check their tyres regularly after more than 40% of vehicle defect-related deaths in the UK in 2013 were found to have been caused by illegal, defective or under-inflated tyres.
Indeed, a total of 2,855 casualties were caused by defective vehicles, with dangerous tyres cited as a contributory factor in 968 cases.
Justine Chapman, MD for Roy Chapman Ltd based in Tring suggested there might be a general indifference from drivers towards their tyres, “few people seem to check their tyres regularly, yet as the only part of the car to come into with the road, it’s vital that car tyres are looked after correctly and inspected regularly to ensure they will work properly in an emergency.”
Further analysis of the DfT figures reveal that 45% of tyre-related casualties were caused on A roads, and the most common region in England for tyre related casualties was the South East, accounting for 23%!
“Driving on safe legal tyres is important all year round, but especially as we approach the Autumn and Winter,” continues Justine, “inadequate tyres won’t be able to cope properly on wet and icy roads.”
UK law requires drivers to have at least 1.6mm of tread depth on their car tyres. Anyone found to be in breach of this regulation risks not only their safety on the road but also a fine of £2,500 and three penalty points for each illegal tyre.
Bring your car into Roy Chapman for our FREE tyre inspection check or take the quick and easy 20p test by simply inserting a 20p coin into the main tread grooves of your tyres. If the outer band of the 20p coin is obscured when inserted into the tyre, then it is above the legal minimum depth, but if the outer band is visible, it may be unsafe or illegal and should be inspected immediately.
Pop into Roy Chapman Ltd next time you’re passing if you’re in any doubt about your tyres. It could save your life…
