Millions of drivers could be unwittingly endangering lives this winter by driving on perilously bald tyres, reveals research by Brake and Green Flag. Two in three drivers (68%) do not know the legal minimum tyre tread depth for their vehicle. This means an estimated 22 million drivers are unable to check their vehicle meets a basic safety requirement.

Worn tyres pose a huge risk to drivers, passengers and other road users, especially at this time of year when icy and wet weather conditions make roads more dangerous. The tread on tyres is essential in helping a driver brake, steer and accelerate. Drivers must be made aware of the importance of regular vehicle maintenance, but currently there is no televised Government campaign that addresses this vital issue.

Failure to maintain minimum tyre tread depths significantly increases stopping distances. Independent tests on wet roads using a car travelling at 50mph found:

• On 8mm depth, stopping distance = 25.9 metres
• On 3mm depth, stopping distance = 31.7 metres
• On 1.6mm depth, stopping distance = 39.5 metres

The minimum legal tyre tread depth is 1.6mm for cars and vans, although less than 3mm can be dangerous in wet or icy weather.

Regular tyre checks are essential for keeping a vehicle safe and drivers are being urged to check their tyres weekly and before any long journey. Car drivers should always check:

• Tread depth - tread-wear indicator bars on tyres can be used to ensure tread exceeds the legal minimum, but ideally a special tyre tread indicator should be used to ensure there is at least 3mm of tread.
• Tyre pressure - using a gauge while tyres are cold. The correct pressure is in vehicle handbooks.
• Any other damage – such as cracks, worn patches and bulges. If tyres are damaged, drivers should consult their garage immediately.

On 8 January 2006 a driver whose vehicle had three defective tyres skidded on an icy road, hitting a group of cyclists in North Wales and killing four of them in a widely-publicised tragedy at Rhyl. He was fined GBP 180 for three counts of driving with defective tyres and given six penalty points.

Brake is calling on the Government to:

• Increase investment in traffic policing and give police powers to carry out random vehicle safety checks;
• run a high-profile publicity campaign to educate drivers of the correct legal limit and promote the importance of regular tyre checks and good vehicle maintenance;
• raise the minimum legal tread depth to 3mm.

Jools Townsend, head of education at Brake, says: “Many drivers are too reliant on their annual MOT and service and unaware of the deterioration that occurs to their vehicle over the course of a year. Tyre tread is such an easy thing to check, yet failure to do so puts drivers, passengers and other road users in danger of death or injury. We are calling on drivers to be vigilant about the condition of their tyres, and check them on a weekly basis this winter and throughout the year. The Government must invest in a televised public education campaign so drivers know how to ensure their tyres are fit for the road.”

Abi Clark, spokesperson for Green Flag Motoring Assistance Breakdown, says: “It is vital that motorists carry out regular maintenance checks on their cars. All drivers should pay particular attention to their tyre tread and tyre pressure to ensure that they are at the correct level. Ideally, tyres should have a 3mm tread and should be maintained with the pressure set at the correct level as shown in their car handbook. If motorists fail to take this advice, they could be putting themselves and others at risk of crashes.”

Survey results in full:

• 32% answered correctly
• 58% answered incorrectly
• 10% did not answer

Contact: Lorna Jackson

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------