A new WheelRight study has shown that our tyres need a bit more TLC
According to new research backed by Highways England, UK tyres are in dire need of a bit more attention, with many deemed potentially dangerous.
Earlier this month, CaravanTimes reported that a TyreSafe study revealed up to ten million cars were currently on the UK’s road with illegal tyres. And now, following research from tyre pressure monitoring experts WheelRight, it has been revealed that one in four UK cars have at least one dangerously under-inflated tyre.
On top of these worrying statistics, the average heavy goods vehicle on Britain’s motorways is driving with at least one dangerously underinflated tyre at any time, according to WheelRight’s study.
The study of the nation’s tyres took place at Keele Services on the southbound M6 during March to June this year. The scheme is being run by WheelRight in association with Highways England and Welcome Break.
WheelRight’s chief executive, John Catling, said: “We’ve been offering a free pressure check to motorists and HGV drivers using our drive-over tyre pressure system at Keele Services on one of Britain’s busiest stretches of road – the M6.
“We have taken thousands of tyre pressure readings and have collated some pretty shocking statistics which reveal the true extent of our tyre neglect. Every year, the UK sees approximately 25 deaths and nearly 1,500 serious accidents attributed to poorly inflated or defective tyres. We believe that lack of awareness on the impact tyre pressure can have on road safety is putting drivers at risk,” he continued.
It seems that motorists have limited awareness of the impact that incorrect tyre pressures can have on road safety. Although the topic could be covered informally as part of the driving test, there is next to no education provided on the importance of having the correct tyre pressures given to learner drivers.
Catling added: “The lowest tyre pressure reading we’ve taken for a motorist on our system was a very low, and very dangerous, score of just six pounds per square inch (PSI), when it should have been closer to 30 psi to be safe. An accident waiting to happen!”
However, Catling thinks there is a simple solution: “We’ve seen first-hand that motorists are keen to learn more about what action they can take to keep their vehicles and themselves safe. If a motorist using our system receives identifies a low pressure reading, our on-site support team at Keele Services will direct drivers to the air machines located a few metres away and provide advice on how to inflate tyres correctly and to what level.
“We believe that regular tyre pressure checks offer significant cost and safety benefits to all drivers – not to mention, peace of mind.”
You can find out more about the WheelRight pilot at Keele here.
