'Defective tyre' prosecutions top 10,000

MORE THAN 170 motorists were convicted every week in 2012 for driving on defective or even dangerous tyres.

The figures, obtained by tyre safety charity TyreSafe as part of its efforts to improve awareness during Tyre Safety Month, show that 10,228 drivers were taken to court over their tyres.

As rain becomes a more regular fixture for most motorists up and down the country, following an unusually dry summer, tyre tread depth and pressure become even more important.

The correct tyre pressure keeps the tyre pressed evenly against the road surface, making full use of the tread pattern to clear water and increase grip. Tread depth is essential, creating space into which water can be squeezed out from underneath the tyre.

The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre, but demonstrations have shown that while a tyre with 3mm of tread can still cope reasonably well with the most dangerous ‘aquaplaning’ scenarios, tyres at the legal limit simply cannot.

As such, tyres left to run right down to the 1.6mm legal limit could pose a greater risk in wet weather.

“These latest figures are incredibly worrying and reflect the ongoing challenge that we have in terms of raising the awareness about the importance of driving on safe and legal tyres,” said Stuart Jackson, chairman of TyreSafe.

“Regular checks, which only take a few minutes to complete, should be made at least once a month, yet it’s clear from these latest figures that many drivers are simply not taking these precautions, risking not only prosecution through the courts but more importantly, their safety on the road.”

By Press Association reporter