OCTOBER is Tyre Safety Month and Arval UK, a leading vehicle leasing and fleet management company, is promoting it among their employees and to customers.
Each year TyreSafe, the organisers of this national campaign tackle an important issue with the aim of improving road safety. This year the focus is ‘practise safe checks’.
Follow ACT code:
- TyreSafe advises drivers when it comes to tyre safety checks they should always remember to ACT: Air pressure, Condition, Tread.
- Air pressure: Is the vehicle’s pressure at the right level for the load? Check with your car’s owners’ manual or even the sticker in the fuel flap may have this. If you don’t: You could use more fuel than necessary, increase wear and the risk of losing control of the vehicle.
- Condition: Drivers are advised to inspect the tyre for signs of irregular wear or damage such as cuts, lumps or bulges.
If you don’t: You risk driving with a defective tyre which can lead to a rapid deflation. - Tread depth: The law requires a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tread and around the entire circumference of the tyre.
- You can face a fine of up to £2,500 and three penalty points for each illegal tyre, and reduce the amount of control you will have when accelerating, braking and cornering
Leasing more than 100,000 vehicles in the UK, Arval understand the importance of safe tyres and so are promoting the campaign to customers and employees to ensure that they are fully aware of the dangers of not taking their tyres seriously.
Driving on tyres with illegal tread depth not only reduces a driver’s safety on the road but can result in a fine of up to £2,500 and three penalty points for each illegal tyre. Tread depth influences the way a vehicle accelerates, brakes and corners so is absolutely essential.
Arval activities this month include vehicle checks in conjunction with tyre specialist ATS Euromaster, tutorials on the use of gauges, and the distribution a range of information and tips for drivers.
Drivers should be checking the air pressure, condition and tread depth of their tyres at least once a month. They can also visit their local participating tyre dealer during Tyre Safety Month for a free check.
Tracey Fuller, customer engagement manager at Arval, said: “We regularly provide our employees, and our customers, with a range of road safety information and advice. Tyre Safety month is the perfect opportunity to reinforce the importance of safe tyres. ”
She adds: “Anyone can check their tyre tread depth by simply using a 20 pence piece or one of our tyre tread check cards, so this month we will be giving out our cards to employees who can take them home for friends and family.”
