ATS-E marks Tyre Safety Month with illegal tyre fine warning

Tyre Safety month begins on Saturday and ATS Euromaster has marked the occasion by reminding motorists that driving with illegal tyres risks a £2,500 fine and three penalty points for each illegal tyre on their vehicle. With the latest Department for Transport report clocking 860 reported accidents on British roads where illegal, defective or under-inflated tyres were a contributory factor – including 17 fatal incidents and 165 serious accidents – safety is also a major part of ATS-E’s message. During Tyre Safety Month, ATS Euromaster is offering free tyre safety inspections at any of its 370 centres throughout England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Chris Hufflett, group operations director at ATS Euromaster, says: “If you drive a car or van then you must inspect the overall condition of your tyres, the tread depths and pressures at least once a month and before any long journey.  If in any doubt, you can visit one of our centres and we’ll do it for free.

“Drivers should remember that wet grip deteriorates more rapidly as the tread depth wears down, meaning stopping distances on wet roads can dramatically increase.  With winter rapidly approaching it is advisable to consider replacing tyres before they reach the legal minimum, or to fit cold weather tyres and place your summer tyres into a tyre ‘hotel’ until next spring.”

ATS Euromaster’s vehicle inspection form requires tread depth readings to be taken in three places across each tyre.  This ensures the most accurate measurements are recorded and helps technicians spot and rectify wheel alignment issues which will maximise tyre life.

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