The start of a new month
TyreSafe warns students – check your tyres before heading to university
Advice comes as second highest intake of higher education applicants is expected
As universities across the UK prepare to welcome back students, TyreSafe is issuing a timely reminder for the estimated 316,850 UK 18-year-olds who have applied for higher education this year to prioritise vehicle safety before setting off on their journeys. With the number of young people heading to campuses slightly increasing from last year, ensuring road safety has never been more critical.
Three-in-five young drivers admit they never check their tyres, a concerning statistic given that approximately 6 million tyres with illegal tread are currently on UK roads, according to TyreSafe’s 2023 Tread Depth Survey. The risks associated with tyre neglect are significant, as illegal or poorly maintained tyres account for over a fifth of all breakdowns on the UK’s strategic road network.
Students and their families can no longer rely on reaching for a spare, in the event of a tyre incident, with the RAC reporting that only 3% of new cars sold come equipped with a spare wheel. For those driving an older vehicle, TyreSafe urges drivers to check they have a spare tyre, and whether it is serviceable.
In the event that the vehicle does not have a spare tyre, drivers should ensure they know whether their car has run-flat tyres or a tyre repair kit (often a sealant and compressor). If the latter, TyreSafe also urges drivers to check the expiry date on any puncture repair kits, before heading off, to avoid finding themselves stranded with inappropriate and ineffective tyre repair sealant.
Stuart Lovatt, TyreSafe Chair said “With more students hitting the road to head to university, many for the first time, it’s crucial that they take a few minutes to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy. In addition, families will likely be in vehicles that are much more heavily laden than normal, so making sure tyre pressures are adjusted accordingly is crucial.
“Proper tyre checks and overall vehicle safety can prevent unnecessary breakdowns and incidents, ensuring a safer journey for everyone.”
RAC road safety spokesperson Rod Dennis said: “With so much to think about before heading to university, it’s unlikely that checking your tyres is high on the to-do list, but we urge everyone getting behind the wheel in the next few weeks to remember these vital checks. It’s essential that every tyre has plenty of tread, is free of damage and is properly inflated. Failing to check one or more of these things increases the risk of driving a vehicle that is both unroadworthy and illegal. The routes to most universities are also likely to include faster roads like motorways and major A-roads, where the dangers associated with a car that has poor tyres increases enormously.”
TyreSafe’s ‘Back to University Car Checklist’, provides road users with an easy to follow safety guide to help their trip go smoothly:
- Ensure all tyres are in good condition, free from damage, and have plenty of tread – the legal minimum is a depth of at least 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre.
- Adjust tyre pressures according to the vehicle’s load to prevent blowouts and improve fuel efficiency.
- Check that engine oil levels are sufficient, windscreen wash is topped up, and other fluids are at appropriate levels.
- Ensure the rear window is clear of obstructions to maintain full visibility
- Set phones to driving/in-car mode to avoid distractions and stay focused on the road.
- Observe speed limits, including variable speed limits on motorways, and adjust driving according to road conditions.
With the UCAS data showing a 0.7% increase in applications from UK 18-year-olds this year — the second highest on record — the roads will likely see a higher volume of young drivers.
TyreSafe is also urging parents taking their children to university to perform crucial checks on their vehicle before setting off to help mitigate the risk of a tyre related incident, particularly as cars are likely to be heavily loaded, and journeys may be longer than every day travelling.
As students prepare for the journey back to university, TyreSafe encourages everyone to take these simple precautions to avoid tyre-related incidents and ensure a safe start to the academic year.
EV TYRES / TESLA TYRES
EV tyres, including Tesla tyres, supplied and fitted.
Mobile tyre fitting at home or work.
Updated 02/09/2024
March 2024
Whatever tyres are fitted to the towing car, caravan, trailer tent or motorhome, it is essential to the safety and stability of the combination that all tyres are correctly inflated for the applied load. Tyres that are under-inflated are much more likely to suffer from a sudden rapid deflation which can cause loss of control of the vehicle. Watch the video below, c/o TyreSafe.org for some useful tips.
Happy New Year - January 2022
Thank you for your continued custom and here's to a brighter 2022.
Have finally managed to source our new van - let's get you booked in and remember to do your checks on your tyres; maintain the only safety critical component, that keeps your vehicle in contact with the road.
Don’t ignore your tyres, check:
• Air pressure: Use an accurate tyre pressure gauge to check tyres’ air pressure is at the recommended settings. Check the vehicles owner’s handbook or fuel filler cap
• Condition: Lumps or bulges in a tyre may indicate internal damage and increase the risk of a catastrophic failure. If these, or cuts and cracks, are found while checking a tyre, the tyre may need replacing and professional advice should be sought.
• Tread depth: Tread depth should be checked with an accurate gauge to ensure it is above the minimum legal limit of 1.6mm. If you don’t have an accurate tread depth gauge, a 20p can be used as a guide to how close your tread is to the limit if you don’t have a tread depth gauge available.
Updated 03/07/21
For 'bloomin' good tyres........No need to book a day off work or to spend your time in a garage getting your tyres done. You can book an AM or PM appointment and we’ll even give you a more accurate ETA on the day of fitting. We do not charge any extra for this service, nor do we increase the price for fitting only 1 tyre. FREE mobile fitting at home or work – we bring the expertise of the garage to your doorstep & you pay when the job is complete & you are happy – no hidden costs.
Updated 08/08/20
An interesting read c/o TyreSafe.org 03/03/2020
Low-cost new tyres have become a popular choice in the UK for drivers on a budget and sales run into the millions each year. The vast majority of these are imported into the country from China and across South East Asia where the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) has led to governments closing facilities such as schools and factories to limit the spread. As a consequence, the level of supply the UK has become accustomed to for many products has been reduced. While stocks remain across Britain, it is inevitable these will become scarcer if the current approach to containing the spread of Coronavirus continues. The concern among road safety organisations, and particularly TyreSafe, is car owners will be tempted by the price tag of part worns and not consider the overall value of a new tyre. Of the 252 part worn retailers investigated by TyreSafe and Trading Standards across Britain an astonishing 94% were selling tyres illegally.
Part worn means part safe. “Not only that, part worns rarely last as long – driving up their lifetime cost. TyreSafe’s advice is to seek a good deal on a mid-priced tyre and carry out regular checks to get the best out of that tyre over its full potential lifespan. Ensuring air pressure, condition and tread depth are properly maintained on a new tyre will minimise your risks and offer optimal value.”
Tyre Safety/Tread Depth
Car Tyres tread depth is important to maintain good grip on wet roads but, as the tread wears down, the tyres will lose the ability of good grip. The ‘20p test’ is a quick way to check the tread depth.
'Pinch, punch, first day of the month'...….and another rainy start!
Remember to check the condition of your tyres. A tyre’s performance is significantly reduced by certain conditions; cold damp roads are one of the highest safety risks to drivers.
November 2019
Another satisfied customer: Red Bull Racing, Milton Keynes
'Pinch Punch, first day of the month'.......
......Not a nice day for fitting tyres but our customers should be thinking about such weather; reduced braking distances in wet weather especially when tyre tread depths fall below 3mm. Contact us for all your tyre needs and remember mobile fitting is free, we come to you at home or work, covering Northampton, Milton Keynes & surrounding areas.
October 2019
Driver with dangerous 'bubble tyre' stopped on school run by protection team
The tyre - which would have failed the car's MOT - was photographed by a council officer patrolling near a school in the Normanton area of Derby
A dangerous car tyre with extensive bubbles bulging from it was spotted while a driver was dropping their children off at school.
The tyre - which would have failed the car's MOT - was photographed by a council officer patrolling near a school in the Normanton area of Derby.
Tyre bubbles or bulges happen when the side wall of the tyre become damaged, usually from driving into a kerb or a pothole.
The structural integrity of the tyre's sidewall is compromised and causes the internal air pressure to create the visible tell-tale signs of the damage.
Our new signage for the van.......'happy days'
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