Nearly half (44.1%) of fleets only check their tyres once a quarter and almost a third (29.4%) of fleet managers do not know how often their drivers are checking their tyres, research suggests.
The UK-based tyre pressure monitoring solution provider conducted a poll with Fleet News of more than 100 fleet managers which revealed some concerning statistics around tyre pressure monitoring.
John Catling, CEO of WheelRight, said: “We were shocked by the results of the poll, which suggest that approximately 75% of fleet managers either know that their drivers are not checking tyre pressures often enough, or even worse have no idea how often they’re motoring this vital element of vehicle safety.
“There are many tyre-related breakdowns and accidents in the UK, so this is a serious issue.”
Lack of time and other priorities were among the reasons given for the failure by drivers to undertake regular tyre checks.
UK-based WheelRight launched its drive-over tyre pressure measurement solution last year. This allows the driver to monitor tyre pressures on a daily basis, as the simple drive-over system takes no time at all for drivers and removes the barriers to non-checking.
A sensor pad is embedded into the road, at a point where vehicles enter or leave a facility. As a vehicle drives over it, ‘in-motion’ monitoring of tyre pressures as well as vehicle weight and axle load, can be analysed and reported directly to a mobile phone within seconds.
Catling added: “Checking tyres should be a top priority, but it is clearly not being given the attention it warrants.
“Our solution is already being taken on board by many fleet companies, as well as other transport businesses.
“It really can save time, money and lives. Fleet managers have a duty of care and should be considering new technologies such as this that allow daily tyre checks to be undertaken.”
Tyres lose pressure at a rate of about 0.69 bar or 1 psi per month and the tyre industry advises a monthly check.
WheelRight makes it possible to check pressures daily, which will spot slow punctures and other issues early. This is especially true for high-mileage vehicles - but it seems when it comes to making those vital checks, fleet managers and drivers may be less than vigilant, says WheelRight.
Its UK-developed technology calculates tyre pressures and the company says removes messy, time consuming manual checks.
The poll of fleet managers, conducted in association with Fleet News magazine, asked how often they think drivers check their tyre pressures.
The full results were as follows:
• Weekly – 8.8%
• Monthly – 17.6%
• Quarterly – 26.5%
• Yearly – 17.6%
• Don’t know – 29.4%
In addition to saving money, the right tyre pressure can also reduce the risk of accidents and maintain, or even improve, the service levels offered to customers, as well as reducing environmental-impact.
Correctly-inflated tyres can reduce petrol consumption by up to 5% and tread wear by as much as 40%.
Incorrect tyre pressure can compromise cornering, braking, vehicle stability and, in the worst-case scenario, lead to serious accidents.
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