9,000 motorists convicted for tyre neglect in 2012
Figures from Ministry of Justice show 170 motorists were convicted every week last year
A total of 8,919 motorists in England and Wales were successfully prosecuted for having dangerous or defective tyres on their cars in 2012, an average of 170 convictions every week.
According to figures obtained from the Ministry of Justice by TyreSafe, 10,228 drivers found themselves in court for the offence last year.
TyreSafe is calling on drivers to be more vigilant when checking the state of their tyres. “These latest figures are incredibly worrying and reflect the ongoing challenge that we have in terms of raising the awareness about the importance of driving on safe and legal tyres,” comments Stuart Jackson, chairman, TyreSafe.
The organisation claims that with winter on the way, the most important factor to check is that tyres have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre.
However, it is also suggesting that drivers look out for other issues including the general condition of the tyres, paying particular attention to any cuts, lumps or bulges, and ensuring that the pressure is correct.
“Regular checks which only take a few minutes to complete should be made at least once a month, yet it’s clear from these latest figures that many drivers are simply not taking these precautions, risking not only prosecution through the courts but more importantly, their safety on the road,” Jackson added.
