Search
Close this search box.
Sign up for our weekly Newsletter

Check your tyre tread

86_TyreChecks246x155
Tyre tread depth should be a minimum of 1.6mm over three quarters of the tread - illegal tyres are subject to three points plus a fine

Share

29 October 2008

Checking correct tyre tread depth
Tyre tread depth should be a minimum of 1.6mm over three quarters of the tread – illegal tyres are subject to three points plus a fine

BUSINESS car drivers should be checking the tread and depth of their car’s tyres to remain safe this winter.

Department of Transport figures revealed that November 2007 saw the highest number of personal injury accidents.

To help reduce the figure, business drivers should check tyre pressure and tread depth at least once a month. This will ensure safety on wet roads.

In addition to regular tyre pressure checks, check tread depth too.

Many motorists continue to drive their cars on tyres with low or illegal tread depths.

When winter rainfall increases tyres may have insufficient tread depth to disperse road surface water properly. This can then lead to loss of grip and increased stopping distances – frequently the cause of avoidable accidents.

What does tyre tread do?
The tyre’s tread pattern helps to evacuate water from the tyre’s contact patch with the road. As tread wears down, the tyre gradually loses the ability to remove all of the water from the road surface. This increases the risk of aquaplaning.

Tread depth also has a significant effect on braking: low tread depth will require a much longer stopping distance.

Share this article

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
WhatsApp
Reddit
Email

Want more motoring news?

Sign up here for our free weekly serving of motoring.

Sign up here for our free weekly serving of motoring.

Ralph Morton

Ralph Morton

Ralph Morton is an award-winning journalist and the founder of Business Car Manager (now renamed Business Motoring). Ralph writes extensively about the car and van leasing industry as well as wider fleet and company car issues. A former editor of What Car?, Ralph is a vastly experienced writer and editor and has been writing about the automotive sector for over 35 years.

Latest news

Top