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More than 40,000 Breakdowns Caused by Preventable Tyre Issues
Reading time 4 minutes
Categories Automotive Industry » Driving News »
It’s been an extremely hot summer in the UK and across Europe. In fact, on the 19th of July 2022, the UK experienced its hottest day ever recorded reaching sweltering temperatures of a staggering 40.2°C.
With this in mind, thousands of Brits have been making the most of the warmer weather, getting out and about on day trips up and down the country.
While many of us see the summer months as a chance to relax and enjoy the warmer temperatures, it’s actually the most dangerous time to be out on the roads. Summer is the busiest time of year for breakdowns, with 2021 seeing an average of 5,000 breakdowns per week on British roads.
The government estimates that around 40,000 of breakdowns are caused by preventable tyre issues such as lack of tyre pressure or dangerously low tread depth. With this in mind, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the organisation responsible for motorways and major A roads, has launched a campaign urging drivers to check the condition of their tyres before embarking on long journeys.
As well as Britain’s roads being busier in the summer months, many people are carrying heavier weights in their vehicles than usual. This is because cars are packed full of luggage and people and may have roof racks installed as well. This additional weight can put extra pressure on tyres, and if they’re not in the correct condition increases the risk of breakdowns.
Plus, tyres that do not have the correct tread depth or pressure can also adversely impact grip, steering and braking – making the risk of an accident more likely.
To counteract the risks of breakdowns or accidents, there are checks you as the motorist can carry out before you set out on your journey.
First, it’s important to check tyre pressure. The desired tyre pressure for every vehicle is different and you can find out what yours is by looking in your vehicle’s manual or by searching online. It’s sometimes difficult to know whether your tyre is underinflated based on its appearance alone. To check, you can use a tyre pressure gauge that will give you the figure of your tyre’s pressure, letting you know whether it needs to be inflated or not.
Since 2014, all new cars have a legal requirement to come fitted with tyre pressure monitoring systems that quickly and easily let you know your tyre’s pressure. So, if your car was made after 2014 you won’t even need a gauge to check.
Once you’ve checked your tyre pressure, you should also check your tyre tread depth. The legal limit for tyre tread depth is 1.6mm; any less than that and you’ll be breaking the law if you drive. Worn tyres can be extremely dangerous, so it’s vital you check the tread depth before setting out on a big journey.
There are two ways you can do this. You can either use a tread depth gauge or do the 20p test. The 20p test involves taking a 20-pence coin and inserting it into the lowest visible tread depth on your tyres. If you can’t see the outer rim of your coin, then your tyres are safe. But if you can see the rim of the coin, you should get your tyres checked by professionals as they may need replacing.
As previously mentioned, driving with a tread depth of less than 1.6mm is illegal and dangerous.
If you get caught by the police driving with illegal tyres, you’ll face a £2,500 fine and three penalty points per tyre that is illegal. Plus, if you’re involved in an accident that causes harm or worse, the consequences could be even more severe.
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