Drivers are being warned to continuously check that their tyres are roadworthy before making journeys, or they may end up risking a £10,000 penalty and 12 points on their licence.
Motoring experts are pleading with people to check their tyre tread with a simple and easy 20p coin trick, in order to avoid the crippling financial fines or driving bans associated with driving an unroadworthy vehicle.
Across the United Kingdom, vehicles must ensure that all four tyres have a 1.6mm depth of treat around the central three-quarters of the tyre breadth, as well as across the entire outer circumference.
Read more: Warning as Highway Code rule change could see dog owners hit with £5,000 fine
Yorkshire Live reports that having the correct tyre depth with regards to tread means that cars can safely grip the road surface, but most importantly, allows a vehicle to slow down in good fashion. Braking issues can be exacerbated in wet conditions, meaning that cars without ample tread may skid and slide when attempting to brake.
This in turn can lead to potentially fatal accidents.
Recent data also shows that some 20 per cent of all UK breakdowns occur due to tyre problems - so it's important to ensure that your tyres are in good working order before setting off. DIY tread depth checkers swear by a 20p coin method.
When you stick the silver coin into the main tyre grooves, the words 'twenty pence' should not be visible if you have sufficient tread depth. If that's not the case, you should take your car to a mechanic who can inspect them properly.
Drivers should carry out this test regularly to avoid hefty fines, dangerous driving charges and even penalty points.
Those caught driving with defective tyres can face a fine of £2,500 and three penalty points for each tyre - meaning that if all four tyres are sub-par, a driver could get a stumbling £10,000 fine and 12 points on their licence. If you rack up more than 12 points on your licence, you could be looking at a six-month driving ban.
Tim Alcock from LeaseCar.uk said: “It’s really important to regularly check the tread depth of your tyres else you could easily land a bank-breaking fine and potentially even face driving bans. The penalties for driving with defective tyres are very serious and landing a £10,000 for not having all four wheels up to scratch can be life changing.
“Without the right tread depth your car won’t be able to stop properly and could easily cause dangerous collisions or even fatalities. It might seem a tedious task, but making basic checks to your tyres every couple of weeks is necessary."
Mr Alcock added: “The 20p test is easy to do at home and gives you a good idea as to whether your tyres are in the legal tread depth of 1.6 mm or not instead of having to take your car out to a garage or wait until it’s next MOT.”
Read next:
- Call for Gateshead Go North East bus route to be reinstated after fears of delays
- Metro disruption to continue until next week after 800 metres of wire comes down in South Tyneside
Plans to demolish derelict building for student apartments near Wearmouth Bridge refused
Body found in search for man who went missing after leaving hospital in Gateshead
The 'deliberately inclusive' Northumberland primary school where 1 in 3 pupils has autism or ADHD
