This October, the theme for Tyre Safety Month is to highlight the importance of regular tyre checks and encourage everyone to “Act before you REact”.
Adverse weather conditions, the driver in front suddenly stopping, a child stepping off the pavement, something in the road, are just some of the obstacles we all face when driving, and whilst we can’t predict every event, we can prepare for them and check the condition of your tyres before every trip.
Not only can this dramatically reduce the risk of tyre-related incidents, it can also help improve your vehicle’s performance and help keep you, passengers and other road users safe.
Whilst most drivers believe they are prepared for an emergency, recent research showed a distinct gap between driver confidence and real-world vehicle readiness.
Research identified:
83% believe they are in full control of stopping distance.
Only 6% correctly identify stopping distance in wet conditions at motorway speeds.
94% underestimate stopping distance risk.
42% believe they are better than average at handling emergencies.
38% experienced a near-miss in the last 12 months.
Only 11% checked their tyres afterwards.
22% admitted they did nothing at all following a near miss.
Confidence is therefore not a safety strategy – preparation is.
There are 3 simple things to check your tyres for every month and before long journeys and you can always remind yourself of them by using “ACT”:
Air Pressure
Always check the pressure on all tyres. This can improve braking performance, fuel efficiency and the overall life-time of the tyre.
Use an accurate tyre pressure gauge to check the tyre pressures MONTHLY and follow your vehicle manufacturer’s guidelines.
Condition
Check and inspect all tyres for any signs of the following:
- Cuts
- Bulges
- Cracks
- Loose or flapping segments
- Wire cord visible
- Objects embedded in the tread
- Visible signs of damage
Tread
To maintain grip, particularly in wet conditions, tyres need enough tread.
Use an accurate tread depth gauge, or “the 20p test” to ensure your tyres have sufficient tread across the central ¾ of the tread and around the entire circumference (the legal minimum requirement for most passenger vehicles is 1.6mm).
If you’re unsure of what to check and how, then just contact your nearest Waylands Service department for further advice and assistance.
All statistics sourced from TyreSafe - www.tyresafe.org.
