An average of 170 motorists a week were convicted in 2012 for offences relating to the condition of their tyres, new figures have revealed.
The figures, from the Ministry of Justice, show that in total 10,228 drivers were in court last year over the roadworthiness of their tyres. Of those car owners, 8,919 were successfully prosecuted after being found to have tyres which were in a dangerous or defective condition.
In addition to checking for obvious cuts and bulges, which could potentially cause a blow-out at high speeds, one of the most important checks which should be carried out on a regular basis is to ensure that tyres meet the minimum legal tread-depth requirement. Each tyre which is under the 1.6mm limit is punishable with a fine and three licence penalty points. With that in mind, drivers can find themselves facing a ban should they be driving with four illegally worn tyres.
TyreSafe chairman Stuart Jackson expressed concern about the large number of convictions. He said: "These latest figures are incredibly worrying and reflect the on-going challenge that we have in terms of raising the awareness about the importance of driving on safe and legal tyres.
"Regular checks which only take a few minutes to complete should be made at least once a month, yet it's clear from these latest figures that many drivers are simply not taking these precautions, risking not only prosecution through the courts but more importantly, their safety on the road."
TyreSafe recommends a quick and easy test to check your tyres’ tread depth. Insert a 20p coin into the tread grooves; if the outer band is not obscured then the tyre may be below the legal limit.
Moreover, ensuring that your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure will contribute to a safer overall driving experience. In case of an emergency, you should travel with a spare tyre.
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