Stay Legal Stay Alive

Published 7th September 2006

Defective and badly worn tyres are a contributory factor in many vehicle accidents particularly when the roads are wet says the Tyre Industry Council - Britain's foremost tyre safety organisation. In a series of police checks in Lancashire last year almost 30% of cars checked had at least one tyre below the legal minimum of 1.6mm or worn below 2mm, not illegal but considered to be in need of replacement. This was one of the highest figures for defective tyre recorded in the UK.

The TIC announced this information in the run up to a tyre safety campaign focussed in the Blackpool area which is due to start on the 22nd September for two days, by offering motorists free tyre safety and other safety related checks and advice at the Morrison's store on Squires Gate Lane, Blackpool.

The roadside tyre checks undertaken by Lancashire Police last year also revealed the sorry state of motorist's knowledge of the tyre law. Over 80% of drivers quizzed did not know that the legal tread depth minimum is 1.6mm - this legislation has been in place for many years and covers the whole of the European Union.

The Blackpool Tyre Safety Clinic will run on Friday and Saturday, 22nd and 23rd September from 10 am to 4 pm. A variety of companies will be supporting the initiative including the AA, RAC, Michelin, Blackpool Road Safety team and Lancashire Police. Free tyre checks and advice will be carried out by National Tyres and Autocare and ATS Euromaster. In addition to checks on tyres experts will be on hand to check lights, windscreen wipers, windscreen, radiator coolant and battery.

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