TyreSafe has provided 2,000 digital tread depth gauges to police forces across the country as part of a national initiative to increase awareness of tyre safety.
The initiative, which is supported by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), sees tyres included for the first time on the list of recommended visual vehicle checks carried out by police officers.
TyreSafe says the initiative is a ‘significant step forward in carrying the tyre safety message directly to motorists’.
The digital gauges will allow traffic officers to precisely measure tread depth, meaning drivers can immediately be made aware of the amount of tread remaining on their vehicles’ tyres. All drivers will be reminded of the 1.6mm minimum legal limit.
Police officers will also pay attention to overall tyre condition, looking for common defects such as a bulge in the sidewall – while the importance of ensuring tyres are inflated to the correct pressure will also be highlighted.
Chief constable Anthony Bangham, NPCC lead for road policing, said: “This initiative with TyreSafe has the potential to directly inform thousands of motorists every week on the essential checks they should be carrying out on a routine basis.
“While the initiative’s main objective is to pass on that potentially life-saving education, drivers should be aware it is our duty to enforce the law and, where warranted, we will not hesitate to do so to maximise the safety of all road users.”
Stuart Jackson, chairman of TyreSafe, said: “The initiative with the national roads police is a significant step forward for tyre safety, and provides a unique platform to educate the country’s motorists.”
Category: Vehicles & technology.
When I was working in the police service in the 60s, 70s and 80s we were always stopping vehicles for whatever reason be it tax or dangerous parts, documents etc and would visually inspect the vehicle and that included the tyres. In most cases it was that the tyres were ok and sometimes we gave out warnings or cautions but at other times if necesary we reported drivers and owners for subsequent prosecution if the tyres were illegal.
Poor maintenance of tyres usually goes with a bad attitude to road safety and other related matters – no MOT, insurance etc and so its a good thing that drivers will be stopped and have the vehicle checked over and hopefully they will change their tyres and be safer on then roads that we all use. Let’s not forget a bad tyre can increase the braking distances quite considerably if there is a need to brake hard.
Bob Craven Lancs
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A drop in the ocean in terms of collision prevention I’m afraid.
Hugh Jones, Cheshire
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