Tyre Dangers: One in four UK motorists could face a £2,500 fine for not checking their tyres

Recent research undertaken by tyre safety charity, TyreSafe – of which Evans Halshaw are a member – estimates that over one in four (27.3%) UK cars have worn tyres below the legal limit of 1.6mm.

To support Tyre Safety month and to encourage drivers to think more about their vehicle tyres and the risks if tyres are worn or underinflated, Evans Halshaw are offering free tyre checks to motorists throughout October.

Excessive tyre wear puts drivers in danger due to a lack of grip with the road, leading to an increased risk of aquaplaning, tyres overheating and a large increase in your stopping distance. When driving at 30mph in wet conditions, a car with full tread depth (8mm) can stop in just 25.9 metres. When driving in the same conditions, but using tyres with the legal minimum tread depth (1.6mm), your stopping distance increases by 66% to 43 metres.

In addition to tyre wear, not having your tyres correctly inflated poses a number of risks to car owners. This includes reduced vehicle control, increased fuel consumption as well as higher maintenance costs as tyres can wear up to 20% faster.

Many drivers are also unaware that they could land themselves with a £2,500 fine (per tyre) for having bald or defective tyres.

With this in mind, vehicle owners can take the following steps to help prevent tyre-related accidents and protect their bank balance:

Check your tyre pressure at least once a month – making sure they are at the correct pressure as specified by the vehicle manufacturer
Make sure your tread depth is above the legal limit of 1.6mm – pop a 20p coin into the tread of your tyre – if you can see the border, it’s time to replace
Depending on the weight of your load your tyre pressures can vary, check your manual for the correct psi depending on if you’re carrying a full load or not

All Evans Halshaw dealerships are located across the UK and are equipped with industry-leading technology and factory trained technicians on hand to spot any tyre faults. For exclusive discounts on new tyres and to book your free tyre safety check, visit: www.evanshalshaw.com/service/tyres/health-check/

For highlight results from the TyreSafe’s Tread Depth Survey please visit: www.tyresafe.org/other-information/statistics/