Business drivers failing to regularly check tyres, says Venson

Fleet decision-makers have been warned of the risks of failing to regularly check tyre condition.

Failure to monitor the condition of tyres can result in serious injury to drivers and other road users.

It can also lead to a £2,500 fine and three points on a licence, per tyre.

The warning comes from an investigation conducted by fleet management specialist, Venson Automotive Systems.

The investigation Tyres: From F1 Motorsport to Fleet found that company car and van drivers are failing to regularly check their tyres which are often running on illegal thread depths.

The research also found that scientific solutions are on the horizon to reduce the risk to vehicle occupants in danger due to sub-standard tyre conditions.

Gil Kelly, operations manager of Venson Automotive Solutions, said: “Research for our white paper suggests that ultimately technology is likely to remove the responsibility for tyre condition checks away from drivers.

“Intelligent tyres will be able to self-manage and thus remove the driver from any care requirement. For now, however, the most intelligent thing fleet operators and drivers can do is ensure that tyres are manually checked on a regular basis.”

Venson’s investigation into the future of the tyre also explores how QR (quick response) codes engraved on tyres may aid fleet tyre management and potential solutions for heavier plug-in vehicles, that put more pressure on tyres.

“Tyres with a brain may seem a long way off but they are set to become a reality and will give the industry masses of information designed to maximise tyre longevity and reduce maintenance costs; music to the ears of any fleet manager,” said Kelly.

Around 40% of tyres across Venson’s leased and managed vehicles must be replaced every year due to damage.

The damage primarily affects light commercial vehicles, which accounts for around 60% of the company’s fleet.