DfT warns road users on tyre safety

DfT warns road users on tyre safety

With tyre safety month all set to commence, the Department for Transport (DfT) has taken the opportunity to issue a warning to motorists all over the country about the need to ensure correct inflation levels and tread depths are present on all vehicles' tyres. 

The DfT has revealed that in 2012, despite the number of people suffering serious injuries or fatal accidents on the road seeing a minor decrease of five per cent, there were still 194 casualties caused as a result of under-inflated tyres. 

However, there is still a need to cut these numbers further, and simple checks to tyre pressure can help to seriously decrease the injuries and fatalities suffered on UK roads. 

Drivers can also ensure they are safe on the roads by checking their tyre tread depth. Current legislation states that it must be a minimum of 1.6mm of tread across the central three-quarters of the tyre around its entire circumference. A simple method to achieve this is by simply using a 20 pence piece. 

Put the edge of the coin into the lowest tread depth you can find on the tyre, and if you can not see the outer band on the coin's detailing, the tyre tread depth is safe. 

If this is not the case, new tyres will definitely be needed. With the colder weather fast approaching, it could be the perfect time to invest in winter tyres, ensuring you are even more safe on the roads. 

Posted by Craig Salter