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Parents – worn tyres are a serious safety hazard for your family!

Every time that you get behind the wheel with kids in the back there are some safety precautions that you take as part of your routine, probably without ever thinking about them. Checking that children are strapped in behind seat belts, or in the appropriate booster seats, becomes second nature after a while. Likewise, ensuring that there aren’t lots of toys which aren’t stowed away properly in the back is something that most of us do – just in case we have to hit the brakes hard when they could come flying forwards. Nevertheless, there are some safety measures which are even more important for the occupants of a family car which we tend not to think about as often, perhaps just once a year when it comes to an MOT. One of these is whether or not the car’s tyres have become worn over the last few thousand miles. It is always worth bearing in mind how important the tread of your tyres are for good road grip and the contribution that – along with your brakes – they make to bring your car to a halt in the event of a road hazard. Keep you and your family safe! Check your tyres.


The Legal Requirements
Sufficient tyre tread is not just something you need to think about in terms of safety. You must also consider it in terms of your ability to motor on the UK’s roads legally. The law says that tyres must not have a tear in excess of 25 mm or 10 per cent of the sectional width of the tyre, whichever is biggest. It also says that, at a minimum, a 1.6 mm continuous band of tread throughout the centre three quarters of the tyre must be maintained around the wheel’s entire circumference. If you are unsure whether your tyres comply, then get them checked out at a reputable dealership, like Point S, and buy new ones if necessary. Remember that new tyres must be compatible with the types of tyres already fitted, even if they are from a different tyre maker.

Less Chance of Trouble

Newer tyres, with less wear, mean you are less likely to get punctures. If the idea of stopping on the hard shoulder to jack up your vehicle and switch to your spare tyre does not appeal, then it probably seems all the worse with children in the back. After all, problems like these never seem to occur at the most convenient times, do they? Simply put, newer tyres are more robust, pick up less punctures and blow out less often than older ones.

Tyres in the Wet

Good tyre tread is not just about being legal. The tread is designed to provide good traction, especially in wet conditions. Hydroplaning can happen when a vehicle progresses through puddles or standing water on the road. Good tyre tread disperses the water so that traction with the road’s surface is maintained for longer periods, even if the water is deeper than expected. If you hit the road in worn tyres when it is raining, then the chances of skidding and hydroplaning are increased. Loss of control of a car, with your family on board, is terrifying – particularly if your visibility is reduced due to poor weather. One of the best things that you can do to avoid this is to fit high quality tyres.

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2 Comments

  1. Donna
    May 15, 2014 / 3:52 pm

    I think checking our tyres is definitely something we don’t do often enough! x

    Reply

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