Tyre experts are warning motorists to check their tyres this Tyre Safety Month. James Harding, a tyre specialist at Blackcircles.com with over 16 years of industry experience, comments on the importance of tyre safety:
“Worryingly, many motorists don’t regularly check the condition of their vehicle’s tyres and are unaware of the consequences they could face if they don’t meet the legal requirements.
“Having illegal tyres not only poses a risk to the driver of the vehicle but also to other motorists and pedestrians. If your car has a tread depth lower than the legal requirement of 1.6mm, the amount of grip the vehicle has on the road is reduced, hindering the vehicle’s ability to come to a hard stop, risking an accident.
“As well as posing harm to yourself and others, having illegal car tyres could also land you with a hefty fine and three penalty points on your licence. Motorists can be fined up to £2,500 per illegal tyre, so taking a chance with four illegal tyres could result in a fine of up to £10,000. The consequences don’t stop there; if an accident is caused and the tyres on your vehicle are deemed to be illegal, this could invalidate your insurance policy, which could add additional financial stress to your list of worries.”
The tyre experts at Blackcircles.com have also explained the simple TyreSafe acronym all drivers should know: ACT.
A – Air Pressure
“Check your tyre pressures regularly and make sure they’re set to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended levels.
“The common sign that a tyre is underinflated is that the sides will sag down. This can cause the tyre to grip the road more than necessary, reducing the vehicle’s handling when the driver turns a corner and increasing the chance of loss of control.”
C – Condition
“Look carefully for cuts, cracks, bulges or other visible damage that could make a tyre unsafe. This wear and tear can increase the chances of the tyre not gripping the road properly or, worse, result in a blowout.”
T – Tread Depth
“Check that your tyres have sufficient tread across the tyre. The UK legal minimum is 1.6mm; anything below this reduces the amount of water able to travel through the tread, reducing road grip and control.
“A good way to check your tyre tread depth is by taking a 20p coin and placing it between the main grooves of the tyre,” says Harding. “If you can see the outer band of the coin, the tyre may have insufficient tread. It is always advisable to check several spots in the circumference of your tyre.”
(Picture: Blackcircles)
