WARNING: Check tyres regularly, remind IAM
Keeping tyres in check is essential to help cut motorway accidents, the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) have reminded drivers.
England’s motorways saw a total of 3,852 tyre-related accidents between April and June – an average of 1,284 per month – with many cost-weary motorists shunning tyre repairs.
However, the IAM have reminded motorists it is actually cheaper to replace worn or damaged tyres where necessary, rather than waiting to face a burst.
As part of their Motorway Month campaign, the IAM are offering the following four-stage ‘PACT’ advice on how to keep tyres in check:
- P – Performance: You can monitor the state of your tyres through observation of the performance of your vehicle; grip, handling and fuel economy will all be improved with correct tyre care.
- A – Air pressure: It is essential that you check your tyre pressures on a regular basis for maximum performance. Low tyre pressure can cause increased fuel consumption as well as making them more susceptible to damage.
- C – Condition: Inspect tyres for any cuts, bulges, uneven wear or objects embedded in the tread.
- T – Tread depth: Monitoring your tyres’ tread is essential for safety, particularly on wet roads. Check that your tread depth is not below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, although it is worth considering getting them replaced if they are below 3mm.
Peter Rodger, Chief Examiner of the IAM, said: “Regular tyre checks are the best way to keep on top of maintenance and avoid those nasty surprises both to your vehicle and to your wallet.
“But one day you could become one of the thousands unlucky enough to experience a tyre-related breakdown, so having a dry-run of changing your tyre at home can prove very useful and will mean you needn’t rely so heavily on breakdown services, getting you back on the road quicker.”
Incidents contribute to delays which cost the economy billions of pounds each year.
According to the Highways Agency’s national satisfaction survey only 53% of people regularly check their tyre pressure.
Image courtesy of subewi, with thanks.
