As temperatures plummet across Britain, thousands of motorists could face a whopping fine by overlooking a small but vital component of their vehicle, and it's not the only potential penalty they should be aware of. It transpires that drivers must pay extremely close attention to their tyres.
Motoring industry specialist Tina Newman, from Just Tyres, one of Britain's leading independent tyre experts, is cautioning drivers that a quick glance isn't sufficient to guarantee your tyres are legal and safe, particularly as winter driving conditions arrive. To remain safe and avoid costly penalties, there's some professional guidance you should heed.
This follows after other driving advice was shared recently. Previously, it was revealed a common mistake can also land drivers a £5,000 fine on the road.
Tina revealed: "Many people look for damage or deflation but forget about tread depth. This is where most fines occur."
British law demands at least 1.6mm of tread depth across the central three-quarters of the tyres; nevertheless, the issue is that tyres generally wear inconsistently, especially on the inner edge. This means that a tyre could appear satisfactory from the exterior, but it's actually unlawful.
If you're nabbed driving with illegal tyres, you could encounter a penalty of up to £2,500 per tyre and three penalty points.
Even more concerning, if you have an accident and your tyres are beneath the legal threshold, your insurance provider may decline or diminish your claim because your vehicle is technically classified as not being roadworthy.
In this circumstance, you'd be personally responsible for the damage. Nevertheless, there's a straightforward method you can use to inspect them and avoid the issue.
You don't require specialist equipment or even a mechanic to verify your tyres are roadworthy. It can be completed in under 60 seconds.
Chilly and damp weather hardens rubber and diminishes grip. This means that if your tread is shallow, your tyres will struggle to clear water from the road, heightening the risk of aquaplaning and extended stopping distances.
Tina added: "A few minutes checking your tyres could save you thousands of pounds and keep you safe on icy roads."
If you are seeking additional support, Just Tyres provide expert guidance, tyre fitting and free safety checks at their centres nationwide. Motorists can drop in anytime for a complimentary inspection, and you don't need an appointment.