Latest DfT figures highlight need for continual tyre checks
The Department for Transport (DfT) has released the latest Road Casualties in Great Britain report which shows that over 1,200 casualties during 2010 were caused by illegal, defective or under-inflated tyres.
Of the 1,210 casualties recorded, 18 motorists were killed, with a further 172 seriously injured. However, there has been a fall in casualties over the last five years, with total casualties down 25% since 2006.
Undoubtedly more can be done to bring these figures down further, and not-for-profit organisation TyreSafe is urging all motorists to regularly check tyres. As a fleet manager is it also time to update your policy on tyre safety checks?
In a co-ordinated effort to educate drivers about the importance of correct tyre care, the tyre industry is running tyre safety month throughout October. As part of the campaign, drivers will be able to have a free tyre safety check at one of the hundreds of garages and tyre dealers that are taking part.
Currently, the law requires vehicles to have at least 1.6mm of tread across the central three quarters of the tread, around its entire circumference. Drivers found to be in breach of these regulations can face serious consequences, not only increasing the chances of being involved in an accident, but also risk fines of up to £2,500 and three penalty points for each illegal tyre.
TyreSafe has devised a simple “20p” test however, something that any fleet driver can quickly do before any trip. Drivers simply need to insert a 20p coin into the main tread grooves of their car’s tyres. If the outer rim of the coin is covered by the tread, this indicates sufficient tread depth to be safe and legal. If the outer rim of the coin is visible, drivers should have their tyres inspected by a qualified professional.
“If all drivers took just a few minutes every month to check their tyre pressures, condition and tread depth, we could help prevent this needless injury and loss of life,” said Stuart Jackson, chairman, TyreSafe. “Our website contains some really simple guides to help drivers understand what to look for. But if they still find this confusing or don’t have the time or confidence to do this for themselves, they simply need to visit their local tyre dealer who will be more than happy to make sure their tyres are safe and legal.”
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