Tyres at risk from ‘pothole plague’
According to consumer magazine Which?, local councils in England and Wales paid out £22.8 million in compensation to drivers for pothole related damage in 2012. Which is a lot, really, and indicates the extent of the pothole problem on our roads. The Which? findings have also prompted TyreSafe to warn that the current ‘pothole epidemic’ blighting the UK’s roads is not only causing added financial burden for drivers and councils, but also carries the risk that it could lead to a rise in the number of tyre related road casualties.
“Hitting a pothole can cause a number of tyre and wheel problems which can have a serious impact on road safety,” explains TyreSafe chairman Stuart Jackson. “Visible damage such as buckled wheels or lumps in the tyre are the most obvious signs of a problem which must be addressed by a qualified professional. However, hidden problems such as cracked alloys can be just as dangerous.”
Indeed, such is the scale of the pothole problem that one TyreSafe member reported that more than 100 customers with damaged alloy wheels visited one of its outlets in just the last month alone. Furthermore, following the ‘perfect storm’ conditions for the formation of potholes, many road experts are now predicting months of motoring misery ahead.
“If drivers do hit a pothole, it’s important that they check their tyre pressures regularly over the next few days to see if there is any gradual loss of pressure,” adds Jackson. “Hairline fractures in the alloy wheel can lead to air escaping and low pressure can have devastating consequences.”
Correct air pressure is particularly important for safe driving. Not only is handling and cornering affected by low pressure, but when driven under-inflated for prolonged periods, tyres are more likely to overheat and suffer from rapid deflation. This type of event can be extremely difficult to control as it often occurs at high speeds on motorways.
Other pothole related damage that drivers are advised to look out for include cuts, lumps or bulges in the tyre as well as any changes to the vehicle’s feel or handling which can be a sign of misalignment.
“If you are in any doubt about the condition of your wheels and tyres, we’d advise popping along to your nearest tyre retailer so they can give them a thorough inspection and make sure they’re safe to use,” concludes Jackson. Drivers unsure of correct tyre pressures are reminded that details can be found in their vehicle handbook, inside the fuel filler cap or on a plate on the driver’s door sill. Alternatively, they can use TyreSafe’s free iPhone app or check online at www.tyresafe.org.
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