Tyre Safety Month - October 2014

The Good Garage Scheme joins with Tyresafe, one of the UK's leading tyre safety organisations, in this year's Tyre Safety Month by helping to spread the message about the importance of checking tyres.

courtesy of Tyresafe

According to Tyresafe, more than 1,200 road casualties are caused by illegal, defective or under-flated tyres and after experiencing the wettest winter on record only last year, this year's campaign focusses on tread depth which is essential for safe driving in wet conditions.

Points to remember about tyre tread depth:

• Good tyre tread depth keeps you safer in the wet
• Adequate tread depth reduces your risk of aquaplaning
• Tyre tread depths should be checked at least once a month
• Driving on tyres with illegal tread depth not only reduces your safety but also risks a fine of up to £2,500 and three penalty points for each illegal tyre

What you can do

• Check the tyre tread depth using a 20p coin (if you can see the outer edge of the coin, your tyres may be illegal). Carry out this test on all grooves of the tread and on all four tyres.
• If you are unsure, take your car to a local garage you can trust. Find a Good Garage Scheme member near you offering a Winter Check, which includes a tyre check.
• Tyresafe says take a #Tyreselfie and share with friends on social media to help promote Tyre Safety Month

yreSafe is one of the UK's leading tyre safety organisations, dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers associated with defective or illegal tyres. It was established in 2006 as a not for profit organisation and campaigns in line with current legislation and duty of care regulations. - See more at: http://www.tyresafe.org/other-information/about-tyresafe#sthash.MIox8GHm.dpuf

yreSafe is one of the UK's leading tyre safety organisations, dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers associated with defective or illegal tyres. It was established in 2006 as a not for profit organisation and campaigns in line with current legislation and duty of care regulations. - See more at: http://www.tyresafe.org/other-information/about-tyresafe#sthash.MIox8GHm.dpuf

TyreSafe is one of the UK's leading tyre safety organisations, dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers associated with defective or illegal tyres. It was established in 2006 as a not for profit organisation and campaigns in line with current legislation and duty of care regulations. - See more at: http://www.tyresafe.org/other-information/about-tyresafe#sthash.MIox8GHm.dpuf

TyreSafe is one of the UK's leading tyre safety organisations, dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers associated with defective or illegal tyres. It was established in 2006 as a not for profit organisation and campaigns in line with current legislation and duty of care regulations. - See more at: http://www.tyresafe.org/other-information/about-tyresafe#sthash.MIox8GHm.dpuf

Are you prepared for a puncture?

Recent research conducted on behalf of Kwik Fit, has led to some startling discoveries.

A puncture to a car tyre while on the road could see as many as a quarter of a million vehicles stranded within the next year alone, as an estimated 26% of the UK's 8.8 million motorists suffer this fate annually.

This is borne out of some shocking statistics and motorist confusion:

•     3% have no provision at all for a flat tyre
•     4% are not sure they have a spare wheel
•     10% of those carrying a spare say they don’t have the necessary tools in their car to change it
•     36% have the tools but admit they don’t know how to use them
•     6% have neither the equipment nor knowledge to get a new wheel on

The Good Garage Scheme advises all motorists to check the conditions of their tyres regularly and visit a local member garage if they are in any doubt about their condition. 

Take the 20p tyre test:

•    Find a 20p coin. The “border” around the outside of the face on the head side of the coin is exactly 1.6 millimetres – which is the minimum legal requirement for the depth of tread on your tyres.

•    Place the 20p coin into the grooves of your tyre tread and if it covers the rim of the coin – your tyres are OK. Make sure you check all the way and look out for any areas which look more heavily worn.

If the grooves are worn, or slightly below the 20p rim – you should  have them checked at your Good Garage Scheme member garage for peace of mind. Any member garage would be happy to check the spare tyre as well.

To find your local Good Garage Scheme member garage, visit www.GoodGarageScheme.com