Irish drivers urged to check wheels for safety standards

WITH 12% of drivers using bald tyres, road safety chiefs have urged people to pay better attention to their wheels.

Yesterday a campaign was launched to encourage drivers to check the rubber on their tyres and change them if necessary.

Director of Education at the Road Safety Authority, Michael Rowland, said although speed, alcohol and reckless behaviour were still the major cause of crashes the condition of the car could not be ignored.

“While crash investigation evidence tells us that the condition of vehicles is a factor in just 0.7% of fatal road collisions, defective tyres is an important road safety issue that needs to be highlighted. The braking distance of your vehicle and its ability to handle wet weather conditions are all dependent on having safe and legal tyres,” he said.

In cooperation with the Irish Tyre Industry Association, the RSA has published a leaflet explaining to motorists how to maintain good tyres.

The advice leaflet will be available in every garda station and included on all NCT renewal forms.

Transport Minister, Noel Dempsey, launched the campaign and said proper attention to all parts of the car could save lives.

It is illegal to drive a car with a tyre thread less than 1.6mm — but it is estimated that up to 200,000 motorists on Irish roads do so.

Motorists can check the depth of their treads by looking at colour gauges on tyres which turn from green to red as the rubber wears away.

Tyre Industry Association chief executive, Jack Farrell, said the importance of tyre safety is underestimated.

“Tyres are your only contact with the road. Cars with tyres below or at the legal tread depth limit can take twice as long to stop compared to new tyres.”