Check tyres as snow hits the UK - again
With parts of the UK under deep blankets of snow again and forecasters warning that some areas could see up to another 6 inches more in the coming days, it is more important than ever to make sure your tyres can get to grips with hazardous road conditions.
If your tyres don’t have adequate tread depth in the snow, you may lose traction and find you’re unable to steer, brake or accelerate properly. At best this could mean you’re forced to abandon your car by the roadside and at worst, it could result in a serious or fatal accident.
Stuart Jackson, chairman for Tyresafe, the UK’s leading tyre safety organisation, said: “In many parts of Europe, drivers do not experience similar levels of disruption in the snow as they are more used to checking their tyres.
“By making these checks today, drivers will be much better equipped to tackle whatever weather we experience over the next few days.”
Current UK law states that tyres should have at least 1.6mm of tread across the central three quarters of the tyre around its entire circumference.
Tyresafe also suggests that in addition to checking their tread depth, drivers can significantly improve their safety in the winter by fitting cold weather tyres.
These are designed to operate more effectively and provide added safety in temperatures below seven degrees Celsius. They contain more natural rubber than standard “summer” tyres, meaning they have extra grip in cold, wet, icy conditions, and enable significantly shorter stopping distances.
Jackson added: “Cold weather tyres give drivers a major safety enhancement over the whole winter period, not just when the snow falls.
“As they are designed to work best at temperatures below seven degrees, they are very favourable from October through to March so should be seriously considered by all safety conscious motorists.”
Alex Kapadia, Operations Team
Number: Z8037079
Reg: NKF419
