Alarming new figures released from the Ministry of Justice has shown that 8919 drivers were successful prosecuted over defective tyres - this is based on data from 2012. The report shows that 10,228 car owners found themselves in court in England and Wales - so more than 80% were penalised under the current legislation.
TyreSafe is one of the UK's leading tyre safety organisations dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers associated with defective or illegal tyres. They are vowing to tackle the issue of defective tyres by appealing for all motorists to be more vigilant by paying attention to the tread and condition of their tyres. Here at ACC UK Ltd, Independent Volvo and Toyota Servicing, Repair & MOT Specialists based in Farnborough, Hampshire, we fully support their campaign of tyre safety month (October) by offering free tyre checks to all our customers - we offer this service all year round.
"These latest figures are incredibly worrying and reflect the on-going challenge that we have in terms of raising the awareness about the importance of driving on safe and legal tyres," said Stuart Jackson, chairman of TyreSafe.
With winter fast approaching, drivers are urged to use a 20p coin to check tyre depth by simply inserting the coin into the main grooves of the tyre; if the outer band of the 20p is visible then the tyre may not have sufficient depth. If you are in any doubt as to the legality of your tyres please go and see your local independent garage for free advice. Do not wait for your MOT or service - act straight away!
Other areas for drivers to inspect include the condition of the tyre, paying particular attention to any cuts, lumps of bulges in the tyre, and ensuring the tyres are inflated to the correct pressure. With so many potholes on our roads - it really can have a detrimental effect on the condition of your tyres, especially if your tyres are under inflated. The only part of a vehicle that is in direct contact with the road surface are the tyres therefore your tyres play a critical role in road safety. Acceleration, braking, steering and cornering all rely on the tyres' relatively small contact area with the road surface so their correct selection, care and maintenance is essential. However, each year in the UK, more than 1200 road casualties are caused by an accident where illegal defective or under-inflated tyres are a contributory factor.
The maximum fine which a court can impose for using a vehicle with a defective tyre is £2500 and three penalty points. However, disqualification is also possible if more than one tyre is illegal. It really is a no brainer - check your tyres regularly and replace them straight away - Happy Motoring!
