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Tyre safety is always important, but recent
storms highlight the importance of regular tyre maintenance -
18th March 2008
Recent stormy weather in the UK has
highlighted the importance of vehicles having safe
tyres.
TyreSafe, the not for profit tyre safety
organisation is calling for motorists to spend time
checking their tyres and to take added care when driving
in stormy conditions.
Research has indicated skidding in
wet conditions is a major fear for many motorists and
recent bad weather increases the risk of this happening.
Standing water on roads can lead to
a layer of water forming between the roads surface and
the vehicles tyres resulting in reduced adhesion, which
may result in aquaplaning, a loss of controlled steering
and a significant increase in stopping distance, all of
which increase the risks of
road accidents.
Maintaining safe tyres at the correct pressures and
above the legal tread limit can reduce the risks of
car accident
claims caused by driving in wet weather.
Worryingly it is estimated that 25%
of vehicles in the UK have a badly worn or defective
tyre, this not only unnecessarily endangers the driver
from an increase in the chances of being involved in a
road accident, but also their passengers and other
road users.
Breaking distances can be increased
by up to four times during wet weather driving compared
with driving in dry conditions, so always allow enough
time and distance to brake and stop safely.
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