News Published on : 01-Nov-2021 17:00:13

Regular tyre safety checks reduce the risks of a tyre related incident but one-in-five drivers have never checked the tread on their tyres which shockingly rises to one-in-three among young drivers. 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. In wet weather tyre tread grooves help to remove water from the contact patch between your tyres and the road surface meaning your car can brake steer and accelerate properly. Without adequate tread depth your tyres may not be able to perform properly in wet conditions reducing your safety on the road. Drivers whose tyres fail to comply with the minimum tread depth requirements risk a fine of up to £ 2 500 and three penalty points for each illegal tyre To educate drivers on the importance and benefits of tyre safety TyreSafe has developed impactful and realistic depictions of scenarios involving families loved ones and young drivers to resonate with a range of audiences and highlight the potential stakes of driving on defective tyres. The question What s Stopping You? not only reminds the motorist of the benefits and importance of tyre checks but also carries the literal message that as the only point of contact between the road and the vehicle it is tyres which are crucial for safe and effective braking and cornering. TyreSafe recommends that drivers perform checks on their tyres at least once a month and before long journeys. Drivers can check the tread depth on their tyres by placing a 20 pence piece in the grooves of their tyres at several points around its circumference and across its width. If any of the coin s rim is visible the tyre s tread depth could be illegal and should be checked by a tyre professional. Stuart Jackson TyreSafe Chair 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.