Unseasonal rainfall putting added pressure on tyres

With rainfall reaching record levels in some parts of the UK, TyreSafe, the UK’s leading tyre safety organisation, is calling on motorists to take added care, and to spend time checking their tyres before driving. Many roads are still experiencing high levels of standing water, with more rainfall scheduled, therefore presenting added dangers to drivers.

The latest research has indicated that skidding in the wet is a motorist's major fear, which can result from reduced adhesion of the tyre following driving through deep water. The build-up of rainfall on the road can equally cause aquaplaning, the loss of steering capability and grip, as a result of a layer of water forming between the tyre and road surface.

The risks associated with wet weather driving can be reduced through maintaining tyres to the manufacturer recommended pressures and to the legal minimum tread depth. Worrying findings have revealed that almost 25% of all cars and vans on the roads in the UK have at least one defective or badly worn tyre, highlighting the importance of having tyres conforming to the minimum legal requirements. The level of tread will equally determine the ability to corner, and the ability to stop in the wet; braking distances are significantly extended in the wet by up to four times compared to dry conditions.

TyreSafe is recommending motorists undertake a simple 5 minute tyre safety check to ensure that their tyres are safe before starting their journey.

Check and adjust if necessary, the tyre pressure in each tyre including the spare as recommended in the manufacturer’s handbook

Clean dirt from around valves and fit dust caps to all tyres

Remove stones and other foreign objects from the tread

Check that tyres have at least 1.6mm of tread across three quarters of the width of the tyre. TyreSafe recommends that motorists consider changing tyres when the tread falls below 3mm

Check for uneven tyre wear which might mean steering misalignment or out of balance wheels

Check tyres for cuts and bulges which could render the tyre defective and potentially dangerous

TyreSafe recommends that if tyres need replacing they should be replaced in twos or all four

Motorists uncomfortable checking their own tyres can take advantage of a free tyre check offered by most reputable tyre retailers who will also provide tyre safety advice and information.

For further tyre safety information please log on to tyresafe.org.