Every year, as National Road Safety Week rolls around, we find ourselves asking important questions: Are our roads as safe as they could be? And what steps can we take to reduce risks to ourselves, our passengers, fellow drivers and our vehicles?
One simple yet vital action we can all take to make driving safer is regularly checking and maintaining our tyres. In recent years, government data reported a worrying 29% increase in casualties caused by defective tyres on British roads, with a significant rise in fatalities and serious injuries.*
Fleet and transport managers play a key role in emphasising the importance of regular tyre checks. With this in mind, Davanti is offering three top tips for drivers to keep their tyres in optimal condition. Their goal is to provide UK motorists with peace of mind and ensure a safer, more enjoyable driving experience.
Davanti Protoura Sport Evo
Look for damage, unusual wear and tear, and pressure monthly
Motorists should visually check tyres for damage and adjust tyre pressures once a month. A visual inspection can reveal just how quickly tyres can become deflated, which reiterates the importance of maintaining the correct PSI.
Failing to check tyres regularly can result in excessive and uneven tread wear. Also, if not fixed right away, any visible perforation, cut or deformation can potentially render the tyre unsafe to use. Performing a quick check and spending five minutes topping your tyres up could be the reason you complete your journey safely.
- Check your tread depth
The 20p test is the most straightforward way for drivers to check their tyre tread. Simply place a 20p coin into the main tread grooves of your tyre. If you can’t see the outer band on the coin when inserted into the tread grooves, the tyres are above the legal limit.
If your tread depth falls below the legal limit, you could be looking at a maximum of three penalty points and a fine of up to £2,500 per tyre. Davanti advises that you check your tread depth once a month to avoid falling foul of this.
- Be mindful when mounting the kerb
There is a reason that mounting the kerb is an instant failure in a driving test – drivers risk knocking their wheels out of alignment by bumping into a kerb or hitting a pothole. Incorrectly aligned tyres can result in uneven wear, which can weaken tyres and make them more prone to damage. It can also reduce the driver’s control over the car and increase fuel consumption.
Avoid mounting the kerb wherever possible, and if you absolutely must, do so slowly and with extreme care.
Davanti Tyres’ CEO, Peter Cross, explains: “Tyres are rarely seen as a safety feature of a vehicle, but they are the only element connecting it to the road, so it’s vital they are of a high quality and well looked after. By doing these simple checks, you can ensure that you are safe on the road”.
He concludes: “We’re proud that Davanti’s tyres are designed in the UK by industry experts and rigorously tested in summer and winter conditions across up to 40 disciplines, to ensure the highest standards. During this process, over 2,450 engineers and technical experts work on testing and pushing the tyres to their limits. However, once tyres are fitted on a vehicle and being used regularly, the owner must take responsibility for doing regular maintenance checks too.”
*https://www.tyresafe.org/year-on-year-ksi-figures-increase-urgent-action-needed/#:~:text=The%202023%20figures%20document%20a,prevent%20avoidable%20deaths%20and%20injuries
