Tyre tips can save lives

Dec 8 2008 Ian Johnson

Tyre tips can save lives

IT'S winter again and the short memory of British drivers is showing already.

We have not had a really bad winter for some time but 2008 is going out baring its frosty teeth. And a lot of people are not ready for it.

On a particularly exposed section of my route to work last week I saw an executive saloon nose down in the ditch after hitting a patch of hail and in the same place the next day a motorcycle had come to grief.

Any sensible driver knows that four patches of rubber, each no larger than the palm of your hand, are all that connects a vehicle with the road surface.

But many pay their tyres scant regard and expect them to get the driver out of trouble in all conditions.

Your tyres can be real heroes in bad weather so it is important they are inspected and maintained.

The worrying thing is that cash-strapped drivers may put off replacing tyres to save money and this is a dangerous decision.

It must be remembered that all tyres should have a minimum of 1.6mm of tread but preferably more.

Tyre pressures should be adjusted and maintained at the correct levels front and rear regularly.

Accelerate and brake gently and use gears to help reduce speed smoothly while driving in as high a gear as practical to avoid unnecessary wheel spin.