DRIVERS with bald, cracked and flat tyres were stopped by Warwickshire Police during the first week of Tyre Safety month.
Officers found 13 tyre-related offences on vehicles they stopped and checked across the county.
One driver received a Traffic Offence Report (TOR) for having a tyre so worn that cord was exposed on the tyre, while another driver received one for having a crack in the side wall of a tyre.
Eight drivers received TORs for not having sufficient treads on their tyres – below 1.6mm in depth. One of them had three tyres below the legal limit.
A further three drivers received TORs for having under-inflated tyres – one of whom only had 7psi in his tyre so it was almost completely flat.
Each bald or defective tyre carries a fine of up to £2,500 and three penalty points.
Even though the tread depth of 1.6mm is the legal minimum, a police spokesperson recommended replacing tyres once the tread is below 3mm – citing research by charity Tyresafe.org which has shown a car with barely legal tyres needs an extra 11.9 metres – around three car lengths – to stop from 50mph on a wet road.
Sergeant Shaun Bridle said: “Tyres are the only part of your vehicle that are in contact with the road when you are driving. It is vital for your safety and the safety of other road users that your tyres are kept in a good condition and checked regularly for your vehicle to steer and brake effectively and stay on the road safely.
“Our results show that some drivers are still not aware of the potential danger and are willing to put their life, and the lives of others, in danger by driving with tyres that are not legal. It is something that we will continue to deal with and check.
“We are reminding drivers to ACT now and check the Air pressure, Condition and Tread of their tyres at least once a month and always before long journeys.”
During the checks, one driver was found to have no insurance so their vehicle was seized, and two drivers seen using their mobile phones while driving received TORs for this offence too.
Penalties for driving with no insurance start at £300 and six penalty points, rising to an unlimited fine, disqualification from driving, and having vehicles seized and destroyed.
Using a mobile phone while driving carries a fine of £100 and three penalty points.
Visit https://tinyurl.com/yydgcalv for details of how to check tyres.
