With the onset of wet weather, road safety group Tyresafe has launched a new online film to educate drivers about the dangers of aquaplaning, the dangerous phenomenon caused by low tyre tread depth on wet roads leading to the car losing contact with the surface.
Available to view on Tyresafe’s YouTube channel, a dramatic scene shows a car with low tread depth aquaplaning on a flooded road surface, dangerously continuing in a straight line despite the futile efforts of the driver turning the wheel.
“Our latest movie and animation illustrate perfectly why it’s so important to regularly check your tyre tread depth at this time of year,” say Tyresafe chairman Stuart Jackson.
“Not only are braking, cornering and acceleration all affected by low tread depth, but in heavy rain, there’s a real risk of aquaplaning which could cause you to lose control of your vehicle, placing yourself, your passengers and other road users at an increased risk of being involved in an accident.”
When tread depth is decreased, it reduces the ability of the tyre to remove water from the road, reducing grip levels and increasing stopping distances. In extreme circumstances it can lead to the tyre lifting on top of the water surface, the nightmare scenario known as aquaplaning which renders any input from the driver such as pressing the brake pedal or turning the steering wheel completely ineffective, rendering the driver a virtual passenger in their own vehicle.
UK requires a minimum of 1.6mm tread depth across the central three quarters of the tyre, with the penalty for each tyre falling short of this requirement being a fine of up to £2,500 and three penalty points. Tread depth gauges are available at most motor factors or motoring accessory outlets, but Tyresafe advise a quick and easy test is to place a 20p coin in the main tread groove of your tyre, checking to ensure the outer band of the coin is obscured. If the outer band of the 20p coin is visible it could mean your tread depth is dangerously low, and should be inspected by a reputable tyre technician.
An instructional video of how to perform the 20p test can visit www.tyresafe.org for more info, of visit one of the thousands of tyre retailers who are offering free tyre safety checks throughout October.
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