06 December 2023 , 11:02
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Motorists have been warned of a tyre mistake which could land them a whopping £10,000 fine this winter.
If you are a driver in the UK, then under current rules it is your responsibility to ensure their vehicles meet the requirements outlined in the Highway Code. The car experts at Swansway Motor Group told the Mirror that during the winter months, it was "important" that drivers check their tyres as failures could "lead to dire consequences."
Swansay Motor Group said: "The high number of tyre offences in cities during winter is particularly concerning. City drivers must be aware that the stop-and-go traffic and icy conditions increase tyre wear. Regular winter tyre checks are crucial for safe urban driving."
Car tyres have grooves running around them, and the depth of these grooves is referred to as their "tread depth". Having the correct tread depth means cars can safely grip the road to accelerate smoothly but, most importantly, be able to slow the car down correctly.
Under UK law, tyre tread must be a certain depth depending on the type of vehicle you have. For cars and "light" vans and trailers, tyres must have a minimum of 1.6mm tread depth. For motorcycles, large vehicles and passenger-carrying vehicles, it’s 1mm.
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The Highway Code says: "Tyres must be correctly inflated to the vehicle manufacturer’s specification for the load being carried. Always refer to the vehicle’s handbook or data. Tyres should also be free from certain cuts and other defects."
The experts added: "If the police catch a driver with tyres that are not safe to be on the roads, they can fine them up to £2,500 per tyre and three penalty points."
This means that drivers could face a fine of up to £10,000 if all four of their tyres have the incorrect tread depth. Fortunately, the points do not add up in the same way as the fine does and you would only receive three penalty points for the offence, no matter how many tyres were not fit for the road.
The experts said: "Ensuring that your tyres are in top condition is not just advisable – it's essential. With the potential for black ice and snow in the winter, worn tyres can be a recipe for disaster. We urge drivers not to underestimate the importance of winter tyre maintenance."
The experts at Swansway Motor Group say that during the winter months, drivers should have a tread depth of the legal requirement however they recommend that drivers should aim for 3mm. This will give drivers "better grip" on icy or wet roads.
They explained: "A simple way to check this is by using a tread depth gauge or the 20p test, where if the outer band of the coin is visible when inserted in the tread, it's time to replace your tyre."