Football fans urged to check tyres as new season kicks off

Football fans are being urged to show poorly maintained tyres the red card this season.

According to research commissioned by Highways England, only one in six drivers remember to check their tyres before setting off on a long journey.

Yet one in five motorway breakdowns are caused by worn or incorrectly inflated tyres and nearly a third of drivers say they are not confident checking tyre pressure.

With football fans once again able to travel the length and width of the country to support their teams, Highways England is encouraging those driving to games to check tyre pressure, tread depth and tyre age (including the spare) before setting off on a long journey.

Look out for cuts or wear across the whole tyre, including the sidewall, it adds.

Dave Harford, traffic officer for Highways England, said: “We want everyone to get to their destinations safely and the last thing any football supporter wants is to miss the start of the match. 

“You are more likely to experience a breakdown or a collision if your tyres are incorrectly inflated or in a poor condition. 

“It only takes a few minutes to check your tyre pressure before you set off and it could save you time and money in the long run. So take one for the team and make sure you check your vehicle before you go.”

Drivers stopped by the police and found with illegal tyres could receive a £2,500 fine and three penalty points per tyre.

Highways England is also encouraging drivers to take a few minutes to plan their journeys in advance, checking that no roadworks are planned on the route. Live updates on traffic flow can be found at the Traffic England website.

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