Drivers warned to grab a 20 pence piece today to avoid £10,000 fine
Motorists have been warned to urgently check their tyres to avoid a fine of up to £10,000 as research shows that most don't know if they're illegal. The RAC say drivers are unwittingly at risk of collisions and hefty fines by not checking the condition of their tyres regularly.
In winter months the risk of accidents due to dangerous tyres increases. And the new study, conducted by the RAC and TyreSafe, showed that just 39 per cent of drivers were aware the minimum tyre tread allowed by law is 1.6mm, meaning 61 per cent may well be driving with unsafe tyres.
But they have urged car owners to grab a 20 pence piece and check their tread immediately. The simple trick will instantly show if your tyres are illegal.
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RAC road safety spokesperson Rod Dennis said: "Tyre tread depth gauges are cheap and easy to use, but an even lower cost alternative is to take a 20p piece and place it into the main grooves of each tyre in several different places.
"If the outer band of the coin is visible, then there’s a very good chance the tyres are unsafe, illegal or both, and it’s time to get them checked out."
The study also found that only 26 per cent of motorists check their tyre tread when they remember to do it or just before an MOT is due. And 5 per cent admit they "never" do the check.
Almost half of people surveyed said a regular reminder on the in-car display would prompt them to make such crucial checks. The majority of drivers are unaware of the steep penalties that can be handed out for dangerous or defective tyres.
Just 16 per cent knew the fines for driving on illegal tyres is up to £2,500 per tyre, so motorists face potential fines of £10,000. And that's on top of three penalty points on your licence per defective tyre.
Mr Dennis said: "The latest official data shows 185 people were killed or seriously injured as a direct result of a vehicle having illegal, defective or underinflated tyres in 2023 – an increase of more than a quarter (26%) on the previous year.
"Add on those serious collisions where drivers have lost control, or where a slippery road has been a factor, and the number runs into the thousands. The safety risk spikes during the winter when wet and potentially snowy roads mean tyres have to work harder than ever to retain grip.
“Ensuring tyres are inflated to the correct pressures is just as important as checking the tread. Those pumped up too much can cause tread in the centre of tyres to wear down faster, while those underinflated is likely to lead to uneven wear around the edges.
The RAC and TyreSafe websites carry extensive advice, including how-to videos, on how to check tyres and stay safe: www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/tyres and www.tyresafe.org/the-checks.
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