Motorists across the UK are being urged to take tyre safety seriously, with strict regulations in place to ensure road safety. According to Manchester Evening News, failing to maintain tyres according to legal standards can lead to hefty fines, reaching up to £2,500 per tyre.
These rules are crucial to minimise accident risks caused by poorly maintained tyres. Regular checks are essential, but many drivers remain unaware of the serious consequences that come with neglecting this important task.
The Legal Requirements for Tyres in the UK
The UK Highway Code specifies that tyres must be correctly inflated and have a tread depth of at least 1.6mm. These requirements are critical to ensure that vehicles maintain sufficient grip on the road, especially during emergency stops. Regular checks are recommended to ensure compliance with these standards.
A quick and easy way to check your tyre’s tread depth is by using a 20p coin. Insert the coin into the main grooves of the tyre—if the outer band of the coin is visible, the tread depth is likely too low. It’s advisable to check multiple areas of each tyre to ensure the entire tread depth is compliant with the legal minimum.
Why Tyres Matter : More Than Just a Safety Concern
Tyres are the only point of contact between your vehicle and the road. Poorly maintained tyres significantly increase the risk of accidents, especially in wet or slippery conditions. Data published by Road Safety GB revealed that there are around 6 million illegal tyres in operation across the UK.
Worryingly, many motorists don’t regularly check the condition of their vehicle’s tyres and are unaware of the consequences they could face if they’re found to have illegal tyres.
Illegal tyres not only pose a risk to the driver, but also to other road users and pedestrians. For instance, if your car’s tread depth is below the legal limit, it reduces the vehicle’s grip on the road, increasing the likelihood of a hard stop and potential accident.
Other Tyre Issues That Could Lead To Fines
Aside from tread depth, drivers must also check for any damage to their tyres, including cracks, bulges, or lumps, which can compromise safety.
Additionally, underinflated tyres are a common problem. They can cause handling issues, especially when cornering, and increase the risk of losing control of the vehicle.
In addition to endangering yourself and others, illegal car tyres could result in a substantial fine and three penalty points on your licence. Drivers can be fined up to £2,500 for each illegal tyre, meaning those risking four illegal tyres could face fines of up to £8,000.
The Broader Consequences of Illegal Tyres
The impact of having illegal tyres goes beyond fines. If a driver is involved in an accident caused by illegal tyres, their insurance policy could be invalidated, leading to additional financial strain.
The combination of a fine, penalty points, and the potential invalidation of insurance makes the consequences of neglecting tyre maintenance particularly severe.
The repercussions don’t end there, as an accident caused by illegal tyres could invalidate your insurance policy, adding further financial strain.
