Fleets urged to take 20p tyre safety test

Fleet drivers are being urged to take the 20p test to make sure their tyres are safe and legal as part of tyre safety month.

Recent Department for Transport figures show that more than 200 people were killed or seriously injured in the UK in 2009 as a result of an accident where illegal, defective or under-inflated tyres were a contributory factor.

“Checking that your car’s tyres have adequate tread depth is extremely simple and easy,” said Stuart Jackson, chairman, TyreSafe.

“As campaign movie shows, you don’t need any specialist tools or knowledge. A simple 20p coin and a few minutes is all it takes.

“With such potentially devastating and life-changing consequences, drivers should ask themselves if they can afford not to take the test?”

To take the 20p test drivers need to simply insert a 20p coin into the main tread grooves of their car’s tyres.

If the outer rim of the coin is covered by the tread, this indicates sufficient tread depth to be safe and legal.

If the outer rim of the coin is visible, drivers should have their tyres inspected by a qualified professional.

In addition to the online video, hundreds of garages and tyre retailers across the country will be offering free tyre safety checks.

To find out more about tyre safety visit www.tyresafe.org.