13 April 2017
2 Mins read

Easter travellers advised to check tyres

Drivers planning a trip this Easter are being advised to double-check their tyres before getting on the road.

A campaign led by Highways England and THINK! Is hoping to raise awareness around the dangers of defective and illegal tyres.

Nearly 50 per cent of all breakdowns attended by Highways England are caused by simple mechanical problems and around 25 per cent are a result of tyre problems.

Motorists should ensure they use an accurate pressure gauge to check their tyres are correctly inflated, as well as giving a visual check of the condition of each tyre as any cracks or bulges should be addressed.

Tread is also important, with road tyres required to have a tread depth of at least 1.6mm.

Richard Leonard, head of road user safety, Highways England, said: “Highways England’s traffic officers deal with thousands of breakdowns on their patrols every year.

“Frustratingly, nearly half of those incidents were caused by poor vehicle maintenance and being driven with defective tyres, insufficient oil or not enough fuel. With a few simple checks, drivers can overcome the risk of an incident and we can all enjoy a safer and easier journey this Easter.”