Fleet Operators Tyre Policy

Tyre safety is all too often overlooked by fleet drivers and organisations. Estimates suggest that up to a third of all road traffic accidents in the UK involve at least one person who is driving for work.

This shocking statistic equates to more than 200 people killed or seriously injured in a work-related driving accident every single week.

TyreSafe Fleet Video

With over 1 million new cars being registered each year by fleets and businesses, fleet car tyre safety is important for both safety and economic reasons. If you care about your fleets, your business and your staff you need to know why tyre pressures matter.

Many of incidents can be avoided on the roads by carrying out just a few simple tyre checks before departing. Indeed, tyres play a vital role in road safety as they are the only point of contact a car has the road. Basic checks, such as inspecting the air pressure and tyre tread levels plus the tyre’s overall condition, can make a crucial difference in how a car performs. But while safety is paramount, properly maintained tyres can reduce fuel bills and have a longer life. Tyre safety is the responsibility of everyone, whether it is the individual company car driver or the business they work for.

How do fleet car tyre pressures cost a business money?

Correct tyre pressures play a critical role in maximising fuel efficiency, and with fuel prices remaining high, it’s never been more important to ensure that your fleet’s tyres are set to the correct levels.

When tyres are underinflated, their rolling resistance increases and they need more energy to make them turn. This additional demand means fuel consumption and in turn the car’s running cost increases. Tyres that are just 20% underinflated can reduce fuel economy by 3%, adding unnecessary extra cost to your business. If your fleets cover a lot of miles, that’s a lot of wasted money.

Estimated costs of underinflated fleet car tyres

Example of how much underinflated tyres could cost:

  • Average fuel consumption = 36.2MP
  • Annual mileage 20,000 miles
  • Cost on correctly inflated tyres = £3325.51
  • Running on 20% underinflated tyres raises fuel costs by 3% = £106.91
  • Cost of underinflated tyres for a fleet of 100 cars = £10,691 per year

How do underinflated tyres put fleet drivers at risk?

More importantly, under inflated tyres can also reduce drivers’ safety. A reduction in tyre pressure (20% or 6 psi which is typical in fleet cars) will lead to a reduction in handling, grip and control. On the roads, this can lead to tyre-related incidents, injury or in the worst case fatalities.

Low tyre pressures can cost your business money, and lives.

You must ensure you have a robust trye maintenance policy and ask your staff to check their tyres at least once a month and before long journeys.

What are my legal responsibilities as a fleet operator?

Fleet operators have a duty of care to their drivers and must ensure they are provided with a safe working environment, including the provision of safe and roadworthy vehicles.

Further points for consideration can be found here: https://www.tyresafe.org/fleet-operators-tyre-policy/tyre-safety-policy/

What do I need to do as a fleet operator?

Businesses providing cars for use by their employees while at work must adhere to a number of laws and regulations. The Health and Safety Act requires organisations to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of all employees while at work, which includes the vehicles being used. Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, organisations also have a responsibility to manage health and safety effectively, which includes a periodical review of the risk assessment procedures to ensure they remain appropriate. Additionally, UK courts now also have greater authority to prosecute businesses under the Health and Safety Offences Act for committing offences such as fitting illegal tyres or faulty brakes, with a maximum penalty of £20,000.

What are my responsibilities as a fleet car driver?

Drivers with illegal tyres face a fine of up to £2,500 and three penalty points per tyre. The driver of the car also has the responsibility to ensure that the car, including its tyres, is in a roadworthy condition every time they get behind the wheel. This is regardless of whether the vehicle is owned by the employer, a lease company or a private motorist.

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