COMPANY car drivers are putting themselves and other road users at risk by driving on bald and illegal tyres, according to findings of a major survey. The study of almost 5,000 car and van tyres was carried out by inspectors at STS Stapleton's Tyre and Exhaust Centres to examine the condition of private and company drivers' tyres against legal requirements. About a quarter of the sample were vehicles supplied by leasing or rental companies.

About 18% of all tyres surveyed were found to be below the legal tread depth minimum of 1.6mm, placing the driver at risk of a maximum fine of £2,500 plus three compulsory licence penalty points per defective tyre. Other common faults included sidewall splits, exposed cords and substandard puncture repairs.

Drivers were asked if they were aware of the basic laws relating to tyre condition. More than a third could not recall the minimum tread depth, while 55% did not realise this minimum had to extend across the central three-quarters of the tread area.