Prioritising Tyre Safety
Tyre safety is essential all year round. This Tyre Safety Month, we’re emphasising the significance of tyre checks and the hazards associated with defective tyres.
- October is Tyre Safety Month.
- If you’re caught driving with illegal tyres, you could receive a fine of up to £2,500 per tyre.
- Shockingly, one in five drivers have never inspected their tyres.
- There are simple checks you can perform yourself to determine the safety of your tyres.
- Get a free tyre check at your local Vertu Motors dealership this month.
Each October, we acknowledge national Tyre Safety Month. This was formed in 2010 by the UK charity TyreSafe, with the goal of decreasing tyre-related accidents on our roads.
Are your tyres prepared for the journey ahead?
Unsafe tyres cause hundreds of accidents each year. Tyres that are in poor condition affect your ability to steer and brake effectively and therefore pose a serious safety risk.
Ensure your tyres are fit for the roads by checking three key features: pressure, tread, and condition.
Tyre pressure check
If your tyres are under-inflated, they cause you to lose control over your car. Moreover, they contribute to increased fuel consumption, potentially costing you more at the pumps.
You can use an air dispenser to check and adjust the pressure of your tyres. These are commonly found at fuel stations.
1. Find the correct tyre pressure for your car in your owner’s manual.
2. Unscrew the valve cap from your tyre and fasten the pressure gauge. Key in the desired pressure on the meter.
3. The machine will either inflate or deflate your tyres to align with the PSI you need. A beeping noise will inform you once it is complete. This indicates that you can move on to the next tyre.
4. Remember to re-screw the valve cap back on each tyre after use.
Tread depth check
By law, your tyre’s tread depth should meet a minimum of 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre.
However, many experts attest that 1.6mm is not deep enough. Therefore, it is recommended that you replace a tyre once the central three-quarters of the tread has worn down to 3mm.
You can check the tread depth of your tyre by placing a 20p coin into the main tread grooves. If the outer edge of the coin sticks out, it’s likely that your tyres have less than 1.6mm of tread. If this is the case, we recommend getting your tyres checked by a professional. A replacement may be required, for your safety.
Tyre condition check
The more you drive, the greater the wear and tear on your tyres. If you drive over stones, glass, or other debris this can accelerate any damage. It’s important that you visually inspect your tyres to check for any punctures, cracks, or bulges. If you do spot any of these, it’s time to get your tyres professionally checked.
A recent study by TyreSafe has revealed that one in five UK drivers have never checked their tyres! These simple pressure, tread, and condition inspections are essential for safe driving.
There are also strict penalties in place for driving with unsafe tyres. If the police stop you and you have tyres that are not deemed roadworthy, you can be fined up to £2,500 and given three points on your licence, for each tyre.
Don’t take risks with unsafe tyres. Book a free check at your local Vertu Motors dealership this October. Our expert technicians will conduct a thorough inspection to ensure your peace of mind.