Stats Show Dangerous Tyre Convictions on the Rise
When the Ministry of Justice releases data on driving convictions for 2009 on October 21 we will finally get to see whether or not a shameful trend has been reversed. The most recently available information shows a total of 4,317 drivers were successfully prosecuted by courts in England and Wales for driving on defective tyres during 2008, an increase of 14 per cent on the previous year. This information was released by the Ministry of Justice in response to a parliamentary question by Stoke-on-Trent MP, Tristram Hunt and shows the figure to be at a seven-year high, up from a low of 3,595 convictions in 2006.
“Many drivers have the misconception that the police are too busy or too stretched to stop and prosecute them for driving on illegal tyres,” commented TyreSafe chairman Stuart Jackson. “These latest figures show this is clearly not the case and that the court system still considers driving on illegal tyres a very serious offence.” As you should already known, current UK law requires car drivers to have a minimum 1.6mm tread depth across the central three quarters of the tyre, around its entire circumference. Drivers who fail to comply with the regulations face a fine of up to £2,500 and three penalty points for each illegal tyre.
“We fully support the police’s efforts in clamping down on this dangerous behaviour and would encourage all drivers to take a few minutes every month to check their tyre’s tread depth, pressure and general condition,” Jackson continued. “Not only could the checks save you from a court prosecution, it could help save your life.”
In October, TyreSafe is again holding tyre safety month, its annual campaign to educate drivers about the importance and simplicity of checking tyre tread depth.
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