http://www.motoring.co.uk/car-news/vehicle...c=motoring



Defective, illegal and under inflated tyres caused 40% of road deaths in the United Kingdom in 2013 where vehicle fault was a factor, according to TyreSafe. The safety organisation's statement is based on new information from the Department for Transport.

This shows that there were 2,855 casualties last year caused by faulty vehicles, with tyres blamed on 968 occasions. 45% of incidents occurred on a-roads – with the south-east being the most prolific region.

TyreSafe Chairman, Stuart Jackson, said: "The latest figures are very worrying and sadly reflect a general attitude of indifference by many drivers toward checking their tyres regularly.

“As the only part of your car in contact with the road, it's vital that your tyres are looked after correctly and inspected regularly to ensure they will work properly in emergency situations.”

Casualty Figures Revealed Days Before Tyre Safety Month

The Department for Transport’s figures precede the October Tyre Safety Month Campaign. This will emphasise the importance of having enough tread to consistently and comprehensively clear rain water. It will be timed to coincide with what is traditionally the wettest month. During the campaign, thousands of garages and tyre retailers will offer complimentary safety checks.

These will ensure that tyres – as required by law – have 1.6mm of tread across their central 75% and around the circumference. The penalty for having a defective tyre is a fine of up to £2,500 and penalty points. (in extreme cases). TyreSafe Chairman Stuart Jackson added: "Driving on safe and legal tyres is important all year round but especially so as we approach the winter months. Without adequate tread depth your tyres will not be able to cope properly on wet roads, and if we have a repeat of last year's record levels of rainfall we could well see even more needless tyre-related injuries which could have been easily avoided."

No idea how this is legal. A tyre like that would be in a dreadful state.

Quote:

1.6mm of tread across their central 75% and around the circumference

What is the minimum in Switzerland ?

It's the same. Suspect it's the same across the EU (Switzerland adopts a lot of EU standards).

Especially in winter I wouldn't want to be on tyres with that little tread. Changed my last set before they got to 3mm.

Agree I tend to change at 3.5 to 4mm

Sage advice,but I can't help wondering. Aren't the vast majority of traffic accidents caused by drivers? I wonder what percentage of all vehicle deaths are attributed to vehicle failure?

Tyres are important. Got new ones on the FFRR last year, so I hope they're good for a while.

KurtVerbose wrote:

It's the same. Suspect it's the same across the EU (Switzerland adopts a lot of EU standards).

Especially in winter I wouldn't want to be on tyres with that little tread. Changed my last set before they got to 3mm.

Don't know Craig.

Cam-Tech-Craig wrote:

KurtVerbose wrote:

It's the same. Suspect it's the same across the EU (Switzerland adopts a lot of EU standards).

Especially in winter I wouldn't want to be on tyres with that little tread. Changed my last set before they got to 3mm.

Arn't German tyre laws different though? Much more stringent?

1.6mm in France.

There are areas of the country - Alps, Pyrenées - where winter tyres with the mountain/snowflake or snowchains are obligatory under particular conditions. Roadside signs indicate the requirement. John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue - SOLD
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
GAP iiD BT-Sold

One reason why im sticking to winter tyres being fitted from now on as even when they get down to 3-4mm they are much better in the UK weather than normal all season tyres.
And you do wonder how many of those accidents are in wet or moist conditions where the near bald tyres just couldnt clear the water and it just built up like a bow wave in front of the tyre which within a very short distance turns into aquaplaning.



This shows the point to a certain extent but i would never want to mix tyres across an axle for more than a few miles(ie spare on to get you home) never mind a different lot on each corner! FFRR MY06 facelift With TDV8 Alloys Zeros/ATR's
Mantec Sump Guard, Rigid Load liner, MY10 BT upgrade.

Interesting clip, but does seem to imply that mixing summer & winter tyres is OK - which I think is just plain dangerous....

Congratulations on the first Winter Tyres debate of the season

Agreed!
I think by looking at it I can just make out the winters on the front. This would be the biggest factor in the decreased distance. FFRR MY06 facelift With TDV8 Alloys Zeros/ATR's
Mantec Sump Guard, Rigid Load liner, MY10 BT upgrade.

3mm is minimum depth here in Poland.

Also you have to have matching tyre models on each end of the same axle, can be different front to back but must be the same side to side.

Apparantly a lot of the old illegal tyres are sold to other countries For resale as part worn. 2008 TDV8