Police
are supporting a national initiative on tyre safety in wet weather conditions
in a bid to reduce to the number of road collisions across the county.
Cumbria
Constabulary is supporting Tyre Safety Month throughout October. This year’s campaign
by TyreSafe, a non–profit commercial organisation, is on ensuring tyres are in
the correct condition to combat wet conditions.
2013
was the wettest winter in the UK on record and in wet weather, it's essential
that your car's tyres have adequate tread depth. Without it, your safety on the
road will be compromised and you may not be able to brake, accelerate or corner
properly.
The
legal minimum tread depth for cars in the UK is 1.6mm across the central three
quarters of the tyre around its entire circumference. Driving on tyres which
are below this limit is not only dangerous but illegal and you could face a
fine of up to £2,500 and three penalty points for each tyre.
Officers
from the Operational Support Unit will be conducting checks on vehicles
throughout the county and will enforce the law robustly where necessary.
PC
Shaun McKeown said “It
is essential that people are safe when out and about on the roads. We encourage
everyone to use the 20 pence test to make sure that their tyres are of legal
tread depth.
“The
tread grooves on your tyre help to evacuate the water from the contact patch
between your tyre and the road surface so your car can grip the road properly.
“The
right amount of pressure in tyres can make a substantial difference. Not only
does it make you safe when in your vehicle, by providing better handling and
braking, it can save you money.
“Under-inflated
tyres will wear out quickly, therefore increase the need to replace more
frequently. Your vehicle will also use more fuel, therefore increasing your
bills.
“If
you are not certain about the right pressure level, go to your local garage who
will be happy to check it for you.
“Don’t
put checking off, it could save your life.”
Tyre pressures should be checked at least once a
month or before any long journeys.
The correct pressure settings for vehicles can be
found inside the vehicle handbook, inside the fuel filler cap or on a plate on
the driver's door sill.
Alternatively you can search TyreSafe’s online
database, at www.tyresafe.org by simply
entering the vehicle's registration number.
Police & Crime Commissioner Richard Rhodes
said “The issue
of road safety is raised often when I meet with members of the public. I
welcome the proactive approach from the police as part of the TyreSafe
campaign. It is important that we all heed
this advice especially during more difficult driving conditions such as wet
weather.”
Top Tips for checking your
tyres:
- Check your tyre
pressure at least once a month.
- Tyre pressure should
be checked against the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended level. This can
be found in the vehicle handbook and on a plate which is often located inside
the fuel filler flap or on the driver’s door sill.
- Check the pressure
when tyres are cold (i.e. when you have travelled less than two miles).
- If you are carrying a
full load of passengers or luggage or will be towing a trailer or caravan,
tyre pressures should be increased in line with the vehicle manufacturer’s
recommendations. Details can be found in the handbook.
- Ensure a reliable and
accurate pressure gauge is used.
- Check the pressure in
all four tyres – and don’t forget to check the spare tyre as well.
- While checking
pressures, give the rest of the tyre a visual inspection. Remove any
stones and other objects embedded in the tread. Look out for any bulges,
lumps or cuts.
- If you are unsure on
any aspect of tyre pressure or tyre condition take your vehicle to an
approved fitting centre and speak to the experts.
Advice
about road safety will be tweeted throughout the month from the Constabulary’s
Operational Support Unit Twitter account - @CumbriaRoadsPol. Join in the
conversation by using the hashtag #CumbriaRoads.
