Tyre Safety Month: Don't chance it - CHECK IT!
A lot of drivers are unaware of the significance tyres have on car safety and the dramatic effects of unsafe tyres. In this article we are going to explain the importance of tyres, tyre safety month and what we at National Tyres and Autocare are going to be doing for this important month.
What is Tyre Safety Month?
Tyre Safety Month is a promotional campaign set up by TyreSafe commencing on the first of October 2021 and lasting the whole month. TyreSafe is a UK charity whose sole aim is to help increase exposure and awareness around the importance of tyre safety. The purpose of this campaign is to underline the significance of checking your tyres. Previous TyreSafe surveys have actually revealed that one in five drivers have never checked their tyres for important things like the air pressure, the condition of the tyres and the tread depth. These 3 tyre features are all essential to ensure that your car is safe on the road and TyreSafe's promotional campaign is to make UK drivers more aware of this.
Stuart Jackson, TyreSafe Chair, has emphasised the importance of tyre safety, stating that the "risks are real" with it being reported that every year 170 motorists are killed or seriously injured in the UK due to tyre-related issues. Jackson adds that "Tyre Safety Month is the ideal time for motorists to get into the habit of checking their tyres at least once a month and before long journeys".
The importance of tyre safety
TyreSafe has stated that there are three particular features that all drivers need to ensure they check before embarking on a long journey to ensure maximum levels of safety while driving.
Tyre Pressure
Tyre pressure in a tyre is measured in pressure per square inch (PSI) and is essentially the amount of air within the tyre and the force that it is exerting. The PSI for a tyre must be at a certain level for the tyre to perform optimally. If the air pressure is either too high or too low, it will have a negative impact on the tyre. If the air pressure is too low it will make the steering feel very weighted, impacting the handling of the vehicle. Alternatively, if the air pressure is too high, the tread will be worn down in the middle of the tyre and the ride will feel a lot harder. The optimum PSI for your car should be between 32-35 and this should be checked regularly. Click here if you would like to check your tyre pressures.
Tyre Condition
Tyre condition is another feature of the tyre that is not generally not checked regularly. There are over 10 million illegal tyres on the UK’s roads according to a recent TyreSafe survey. If the tyre condition is poor this can have a drastic effect on handling and could even burst, endangering yourself and over drivers.
Some indications that you need new tyres are:
- Vibrations
- Noise
- Wobbling
- Lack of traction
If you feel any of these indications with your tyres, the tyre condition is not suitable for the road and should be replaced. Click here if you are wanting to know more on how to maximise the life of your tyres.
Tyre Tread Depth
Tread depth is a measure of the amount of rubber that is in contact with the road on a tyre. The measurement is from rubber in contact to the road to the tyres deepest grove. The legal tread depth for the UK is 1.6mm across the central three quarter of a tyre. If the tread depth is too low, this can have a profound effect on traction, handling and can increase stopping distance. To check the tread depth, you can use a 20P coin. Simply put the coin in the groove, if you can’t see the outer band of the coin then the tyre is legal.
Are my tyres safe? - Book a FREE safety check today!
Are you reading this article and worried that your tyres may not be safe to drive? Do not worry, tyre care is something that is incredibly important to us as a company. This is why we are offering a FREE Safety Check via our website. You can get booked in at your local National Tyres and Autocare garage and our highly trained and experienced branch staff will check your tyre pressure, tyre tread depth and your general tyre condition for free of charge. Book a FREE safety check by clicking here, to give you that extra peace of mind.
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