Tyre pressure checks.

BBC One Show article on tyre checks – 24th October 2011
The article hi-lighted the increased risks to drivers who fail to check and
maintain their tyres. In 2010 there were 1200 road casualties attributed to
poorly maintained tyres and in the last 5 years there have been 164 fatalities.
Many drivers are waiting longer to carry out routine vehicle maintenance in
order to save money. However a defective tyre can increase stopping distance
by 6 meters, resulting in a much worse accident and significantly higher costs to
repair the vehicle.
In 2010 Police gave endorsements to 10,000 drivers with defective tyres, a 4
year high. Drivers received 3 points for each defective tyre and upto a £2,500
fine. 43% of the drivers who received endorsements for defective tyres did not
lose their licence despite having more than 12 points. This is because they
claimed “exceptional hardship” as part of their defence.
This increase in drivers failing to maintain tyres and potentially receiving points
further demonstrates the need for employers to check the licences of all
employees driving on business and to ensure that they are carrying out routine
maintenance checks.
For expert advice on tyre maintenance go to www.tyresafe.org

Next week we will have in place at all depots tyre inflation and checking equipment, and we will also be carrying out spot checks on sites and at the depots.