1 in 10 UK Drivers Below Tread Depth Limit

Online tyre company rubberball.co.uk has published research showing that 10 per cent of British motorists will be driving with at least one faulty tyre this winter. Only 9 per cent of drivers surveyed were aware that the minimum legal tread depth is 1.6 millimetres and a further 10 per cent believed that their tyres were still safe below this level.

Whilst the majority of drivers realise the number of road accidents increase during wet conditions, many still view buying tyres as a distress purchase and will wait until they are forced into buying new tyres, says Rubberball’s director Sondra Pritchard.

The research also shows that just 10 per cent checked their tyres once a week as recommended and 19 per cent checked them less than once a month. Reasons given for not checking included laziness and that they were checked when the car was serviced.

“Tyre tread and pressure is extremely important and of course more so in wet and slippery conditions. When you consider all that is between the driver and the road are four rubber tyres you have to be confident they can do the job. Tyres needn’t be costly, especially when you look to buy them on the Internet and can have them delivered straight to your door,” she explained.

“Our market research showed us that more and more people shop online to buy all sorts of things from food to a new home. No one really likes shopping for tyres, so buying online cuts out not only the hassle, but also the high cost many people expect when buying traditionally through a depot or garage,” Pritchard commented.