Quentin Willson Promotes TyreSafe ‘Lifesaver in Your Pocket’ Campaign
As part of October’s tyre safety month, Quentin Willson is the face of a new online video demonstrating TyreSafe’s ‘lifesaver in your pocket’ initiative which encourages drivers to check their tyre tread depth to see if they are safe and legal with the use of a 20p coin. The video compares the breaking distance of tyres at 1mm and 2mm and shows a difference of 17 metres between the two.
“As we approach some of the wettest months of the year, it’s essential that drivers have sufficient tread depth to keep them safe and legal,” explains Willson. “Without it, they could find themselves in a life threatening accident, lose their licence and face a heavy fine. The simplicity of the 20p test means that there is absolutely no excuse why anyone should be found driving on tyres which have illegal tread depth.”
Despite Willson’s support of the tyre safety initiative, recent figures released by the Department for Transport show that illegal, defective or under-inflated tyres are the most common contributory factor for road deaths within the vehicle defect category. In 2008, 34 motorists lost their lives as a result of an accident where defective tyres played a part, more than all of the other vehicle defects combined, including defective brakes, defective steering and overloading.
“This graphic illustration of how tyre tread depth affects a car’s ability to stop is very compelling,” comments Stuart Jackson, chairman, TyreSafe. “Cars can have the most advanced safety systems or be driven by the best drivers, but without properly maintained tyres it will not be able to stop properly in the wet. By taking just a few minutes every month to check the condition of your car’s tyres, drivers can make sure that they stay safe and legal.”
Current UK law states that car tyres must have a minimum of 1.6mm of tread across the central three quarters of the tyre, around its entire circumference. Drivers found in breach of this law can face a fine of up to £2,500 and three penalty points per tyre.
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