Guest post - Emma Potts
So
winter is well on its way. What I hear you cry?! Where’s summer gone? Well
before we know it Christmas will be here (groan,sigh I hear a few of you cry).
Well the beginning of winter is not just about going getting
our new winter coats or pair of UGG boots one may be treating
themselves to, or even arranging those cosy nights in front of the fire with a
glass of your favourite tipple.
But before we all worry whether we will be warm enough
have you thought about your car and what it needs in preparation for winter?
You know the car that will keep you warm on your daily
commute when it’s still dark in the morning and when the outside temperatures
are comparative to that of the Antarctic (or so it often feels).
Boring it may well seem but the importance of maintaining your vehicle's “legs”
is imperative, especially in winter.
Winter weather
As we all know in winter we see some of the wettest
months of the year. I know we often feel like every month is the wettest month
of the year in the UK but the largest rain pour is throughout the winter months.
**There is also the worry that if your car has defective
tyres, you could face prosecution. The Road Vehicles (Construction & Use) Regulations 1986 specify what constitutes a
defective tyre.
Car tyres are listed in the law as having 7 possible defects. Most car drivers
are not aware of the depth of the regulations. If you were stopped by the police and of any of these
defects were found with your tyres you could end up receiving punishments for
each individual defective tyre.
Punishments for defective
tyres
· For each illegal tyre there is a penalty
point risk of 3 points per tyre and a maximum possible fine of up to £2,500 for
each tyre that is defective.
So if for instance you had 4 defective tyres you get
actually lose your licence with the accumulation of the 12 penalty points (you
would become a “totter” which could see you facing a driving ban), not to
mention the serious dint in your wallet from the fine that will be imposed.
Imagine
having to wait at the bus stop on a cold dark morning to get to work and all
thanks to having not checked your tyres meet legal requirements.
So, what depth do your tyres
need to be in order to meet legal requirements?
Firstly current UK law requires car drivers to have at
least 1.6mm of tread depth on their tyres.
“How do you measure your tyre tread?” I hear you ask,
we don’t all carry rulers around in our pockets! Well if you haven’t got a
tyre checker or a ruler, there is a simple way of checking your tyres without
these items and many refer to it as “the 20p test.”
You can do a tyre check yourself by
inserting a 20p coin into the main grooves on your outer tyres.
If you can't see the outer band of the 20 p when the
20p is inside the tyre groove then your tyre tread is within the legal limit.
***
Whilst doing this test also remember look out for the other possible defects ***
7 other key things to
check with your tyres to avoid any prosecution
1: Is there any uneven wear and tear on your tyres
2: Are there any cuts or slashes anywhere on the tyres
3: Is there any bulging in the tyre walls
4: What about tyre pressures – ensure your tyres have
the correct pressure as stated in your vehicle’s manufacturing book
5: Tread depth on your tyres must be 1.6mm at least
6: Your tyres must be fit for the purpose that the
vehicle is being used
7: There should be no cord or ply exposed on any tyre
Source:
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1986/1078/regulation/27/made
A
defective tyre is therefore a tyre which is found to have one of the above
defects present.
(Remember
if any one of these defects are found you may be liable to prosecution.)
All
of the above checks are recommended on a weekly basis and before any long
journey
So think
winter, think tyres!
·
Don’t become a statistic and more
importantly stay safe.
· Carry out all of the above checks on a
regular basis or as it's national tyre safety month in October why not take
advantage and go and get a free tyre check at your local tyre service centre.
There’s no excuse it's
free and could save you a fortune in the long term.
If you are already facing a fixed penalty notice for
defective tyres this could well mean you have become at risk of a totting up offence
which will result in a disqualification from driving. If you are please call
our expert team here at Geoffrey Miller Solicitors who will be able to have a
chat with you. 08000 85 27 84
Wrap up warm folks and
remember your tyres need extra TLC this winter.
