Kwik Fit identifies winter tyre gap in Theory Test questions
Over the last five days Kwik Fit has sold more than five times the number of winter tyres than the same time last week, as drivers have taken heed of severe weather warnings and made advance preparations.
However, it is still a small proportion of drivers who are switching their tyres in the winter and research for Kwik Fit shows that the majority of drivers (two thirds, or 68 per cent) are unaware of the difference between cold and warm weather tyres. A quarter (23 per cent) of motorists say they haven’t even heard of winter tyres. Kwik Fit is calling for the government to update the driving test to include knowledge of winter tyres.
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) Theory Test asks candidates 50 questions from a pool of nearly 1,000, but even with such a vast number of questions on a wide range of topics, the Test doesn’t have anything on winter tyres, even though they can dramatically improve safety in cold weather. Indeed, they are a legal requirement in some European countries.
Winter tyres are made from a specially formulated rubber compound and have a tread pattern designed to give improved grip, traction and better braking in conditions when temperatures are less than 7°C. Tests have shown that under 7°C, winter tyres will stop 4.8 metres shorter on wet roads and 11 metres shorter on icy roads at 20mph.
However, despite the vast majority of the UK having long term average temperatures below 7°C throughout December – February, and well below this in peak driving times, only a small minority of drivers have switched to winter tyres in previous years.
“The arrival of snow prompts some drivers to consider winter tyres, but they shouldn’t wait until then – these cold weather tyres are more effective than their summer equivalents when the temperature is less than seven degrees, even on dry roads,” said Roger Griggs, director of communications at Kwik Fit.
“With more countries making winter tyres compulsory, and their benefits very clear, we believe they should be part of the theory test. There are plenty of questions on tyres, and indeed some addressing driving in winter, but winter tyres are not covered. The Theory Test is the only time that the government has a truly captive audience and can educate new drivers about keeping safe on the road. The DSA should take this opportunity to make sure drivers know about the safety benefits of winter tyres.”
Griggs continued: “As well as being a safer choice, winter tyres also make financial sense. They will last a number of seasons if they are stored properly over summer because obviously while the summer tyres are in storage, they won’t be wearing down.”
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