Don’t end up on skid row. That’s the message from Carmarthenshire County Council’s road safety unit, which is targeting tyre safety on our county roads.
The tyre safety campaign coincides with ‘National Tyre Safety Month’. The message is simple, tyres should be checked frequently and especially before a long journey. Drivers should take care of their tyres, keep them correctly inflated and replace them when worn or damaged.
Cars, light goods vehicles and light trailers must have a tread depth of at least 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tread and around the entire circumference. Motorcycles, large vehicles and passenger carrying vehicles must have a minimum legal tread depth of 1mm.
County executive board member for transport services, Cllr Hazel Evans, said: “It is a legal requirement that your vehicle is fitted with the correct tyre for the vehicle type you are driving and for the purpose for which it is being used.
“It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure there is sufficient tread on their tyres before they take to the road.
“It is good practice to walk round your car and check your tyres regularly. To drive with defective tyres can lead to a fine of up to £2,500 and three penalty points for each defective tyre.”
If you’re unsure of your car tyre’s tread depth, an easy way to check is by using a Tread Buddy. For your free Tread Buddy (which also acts as a trolley coin) simply email the road safety team on roadsafety@carmarthenshire.gov.uk or telephone 01267 228284. Alternatively log onto www.tyresafe.org to find your local tyre retailer for a free tyre health check.
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