Tyre Safety Advice

🚗❄️ Tyre Safety for the Autumn & Winter Months ❄️🚗

As we head into the autumn and winter months, changing weather conditions can make our roads significantly more challenging. Wet roads, standing water, ice, frost and fallen leaves can all reduce vehicle grip and increase stopping distances.

Your tyres are the only part of your vehicle in contact with the road, making them one of the most important safety features on your vehicle. 

🔎 What is the Legal Tyre Tread Depth?

For cars, light vans and trailers, the legal minimum tread depth in the UK is:

✅ 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre and around the entire circumference. 

Driving with tyres below the legal limit can result in:

⚠️ A fine of up to £2,500 per tyre
⚠️ 3 penalty points per tyre
⚠️ Potential prosecution if your vehicle is found to be in a dangerous condition. 

🛑 Don't Wait Until the Legal Limit

Whilst 1.6mm is the legal minimum, many road safety and tyre experts recommend replacing tyres once they reach around 3mm, particularly before winter. This is because wet-weather performance and braking ability can reduce significantly as tread wears down. 

🚙 Simple Tyre Safety Checks

Before winter arrives, take a few minutes to check:

✅ Tread depth on all four tyres.
✅ Tyre pressures are set correctly.
✅ Tyres are free from cuts, cracks, bulges or other damage.
✅ Your spare wheel (if fitted) is in good condition.
✅ Vehicle lights, wipers and washer fluid are all working correctly for poor weather conditions. 

🪙 The 20p Test

A quick and easy way to check your tyres:

🪙 Insert a 20p coin into the main tread grooves.

If you can see the outer rim of the coin, your tyre may be approaching an unsafe level of wear and should be checked more closely. 

🌧️ Winter Driving Tips

🚗 Reduce speed during wet, icy or foggy conditions.
🚗 Leave extra distance between you and the vehicle in front.
🚗 Take extra care on rural roads where mud, standing water and fallen leaves may be present.
🚗 Check your tyres regularly throughout the winter period.
🚗 Ensure all vehicle lights are clean and working before every journey. 

A few minutes spent checking your tyres today could prevent a collision tomorrow.

Stay safe, particularly on our rural roads, and help keep our communities moving safely throughout the colder months ahead. 🚓❄️🚗

#RoadSafety #TyreSafety #WinterDriving #RuralRoadSafety #CommunitySafety #StaySafe