Department for Transport figures show 153 people are killed or seriously injured due to tyre-related incidents annually. The importance in making sure your tyres are in road-worthy condition, is paramount.
October is National Tyre Safety Month, which is promoted by the charity TyreSafe. These are the three areas they advise you should be checking, to make sure your tyres are road-worthy:
Air Pressure – correct tyre pressures are shown on a sticker in your car’s door shut, filler cap or in the owner’s manual. Use an accurate pressure gauge to ensure they are right for the load as part of your pre-journey planning
Condition – if stones or other objects caught between grooves in the tread can be removed without damaging the tyre, drivers are advised to do so. Bulges, cracks, cuts and embedded objects are cause for concern and need to be checked by a professional
Tread – if you don’t have access to an accurate tread depth gauge, a 20p coin can be used to see if your tyres’ tread depths are approaching the 1.6mm minimum limit. Insert the 20p at several points across and around each tyre. If you can see the coin’s outer rim at any point the tyre may be illegal and you should seek advice from a professional.
Tyre checks are so easy and simple to do, and hugely effective in reducing the chance of having a vehicle incident. Tyre checks are part of the Fleet Service GB Driver App vehicle check sheet.