Avoid Bank Holiday blowouts with pre-journey checks

Published 26th August 2009

With one of the busiest weekends of the year on the UK's roads fast approaching, motorists are being reminded that they can avoid significant roadside misery by carrying out a few simple checks before setting off.
TyreSafe is urging drivers to take a few minutes to check that tyres are inflated to the correct pressure to reduce the likelihood of suffering a blowout and help them arrive safely at their destination.

"By ensuring that tyres are inflated to the correct pressure before setting off for the Bank Holiday weekend, drivers can significantly reduce the chances of suffering a from blowout which could leave them stranded at the roadside or involved in a serious accident," explains Stuart Jackson, chairman, TyreSafe.

"As many cars will be full with extra passengers and luggage it's important to check and adjust the pressures accordingly. By taking just a few minutes to carry out this simple task motorists could save themselves and their families a great deal of time and frustration."

Driving on under-inflated tyres places a significant amount of excess strain on tyres. As well as causing premature wear, erratic handling and reduced fuel economy, additional heat builds up within the tyre which can lead to a rapid tyre deflation.

This type of incident most frequently occurs at high speeds on motorways and can lead to the driver losing control of the vehicle endangering the lives of passengers in that vehicle and other road usersz

For more information about tyre safety, visit www.tyresafe.org.

Top Tips for checking tyre pressures correctly
1. Pressures should be checked at least once a month or before a long journey.

2. Pressures 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.

3. Check the pressure when tyres are cold (i.e. when you have travelled less than two miles).

4. 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.

5. Ensure a reliable and accurate pressure gauge is used.

6. Check the pressure in all four tyres not forgetting to check the spare tyre as well.

7. 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.

8. 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.


Notes
TyreSafe is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of the dangers of defective and worn tyres. TyreSafe has campaigned consistently to underline the importance of tyre safety for more than 15 years and was rewarded with the Prince Michael International Road Safety Award in 2001.

TyreSafe receives positive support from many major tyre manufacturers and retailers, and has been credited with reducing the number of defective tyres in the UK over the past decade from 18% to 12%.
TyreSafe is a signatory to the European Road Safety Charter which was launched in 2004 with the aim of halving the number of deaths on European roads by 2010.

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