Don't Ignore Your Tyres

TyreSafe is launching the ‘Home Safely for Winter’ campaign to raise awareness about the importance of tyre safety during the winter season. As weather conditions worsen with heavy rain, snow, sleet, and high winds, road users face more challenging driving environments. The campaign encourages drivers to take proactive steps and ACT on tyre safety to ensure they can get home to their loved ones safely.

With an alarming 6 million tyres in the UK having illegal tread each year, drivers are putting themselves and others at risk. Tread depth is essential for vehicle braking, handling, and grip, especially on wet, icy, or snow-covered roads. This campaign reminds drivers that taking a few minutes to perform basic tyre maintenance can make all the difference in their safety.

Whether it’s driving home from work on dark evenings, heading out early for the school run, or visiting family and friends, tyre safety is crucial for arriving home safely. TyreSafe urges all road users to ACT’ and wrap up warm while checking their Air pressure, Condition, and Tread this winter.

20% of drivers aged under 44 admit to breaking the law by using faulty tyres or avoiding an MOT, a new survey suggests.

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FAQ's

• Q - How often should I check my tyres?
  A - Tyres should be inspected at least once a month and before any long journey. Checks should include checking the air pressure, overall condition and tread depth. And don’t forget to check the spare or the compressor and sealant if no spare was fitted!
• Q - What should I do when checking my tyres?
  A - Tread depths should be checked to ensure they meet the legal minimum regulations. Pressures should be checked in line with the vehicle manufacturers’ recommended settings. Take care to increase the pressure if the vehicle is heavily loaded as shown in the car manufacturers recommendations. The tyres should also be given a thorough visual inspection to look for any cuts, lumps or bulges. Also look for any objects embedded in the tread which should be removed.
• Q - What is the minimum legal tread depth?
  A - Current UK law requires car, van and LCV drivers to have at least 1.6mm of tread across the central three-quarters of the tyre, around its entire circumference. For trucks (vehicles exceeding 3.5 tonnes g.v.w) current tread depth legislation requires that they must have a minimum of 1mm of tread in a continuous band throughout the central three-quarters of the tread width and over the whole circumference of the tyre. The same regulation applies to regrooved tyres. Meanwhile, for motorcycles over 50cc it is 1mm across ¾ of the width of the tread pattern and with visible tread on the remaining ¼. For motorcycles up to 50cc the law requires that all the grooves of the original tread pattern must be clearly visible.
• Q - Why is tread depth important?
  A - Adequate tread depth is essential for good grip on wet roads as the tread pattern helps to remove water from between the tyre and the road surface. Drivers with insufficient tread depth face longer stopping distances, reduced grip and an increased risk of aquaplaning.
• Q - Where can I find the correct pressure for my tyres?
  A - The vehicle manufacturers’ handbook contains this information, as well as it being available inside the fuel filler cap or driver’s door sill. Many tyre retailers will also be able to provide this information.
• Q - Why is having the correct tyre pressure important?
  A - To stay safe on the road your car needs to have the correct tyre pressure. If the tyres are under or over inflated then handling and grip will worsen, potentially causing irregular or unpredictable car behaviour. The benefits of a properly inflated tyre, include reduced running costs and longer tyre life.
• Q - What are the fines for driving with illegal tyres?
  A - Drivers who fail to comply with the regulations face a fine of up to £2,500 and three penalty points for each illegal tyre.