Auto Express: "Tyre Breakthrough Hailed"
Discussion
Auto Express said:
Is the 'tread alert' message finally getting through? According to a new survey it is - in one part of the country at least. The 2004 North West England Tyre Safety Campaign registered a four per cent fall in the number of cars with rubber below the legal minimum tread depth of 1.6mm. Only 12.2 per cent of vehicles tested by police during the month-long initiative were deemed illegal, down from 16.6 per cent the previous year.
Now excuse me for being picky, but of all the causes of accidents I'd expect poor tyres to be high on the list. I've personally seen the effects of cheap, ill-inflated tyres and know that when all you have between you and oblivion is 4 small patches of rubber it's worth whatever it takes to have good tyres.
So why would the police be pleased to see "only 12.2%" of vehicles tested to have illegal tyres? To me that's a terrifyingly high proportion.
It's a shame gatsos can't pick up tread depth. That would really be a useful function for them. In the meantime, please can we have more focus on unroadworthy cars by our Trafpols? 1 month in the North West is not enough!
I always thought it would be a good idea if tyres were impregnated or constructed with some kind of coloured layer at the legal minimum level of wear. As a tyre wears through it goes red or yellow etc - plod can easily see if a tyre is knackered as can numpty drivers.
You are correct - 12% is frighteningly high, even if they are just pulling 'sheds'.
You are correct - 12% is frighteningly high, even if they are just pulling 'sheds'.
maxf said:
I always thought it would be a good idea if tyres were impregnated or constructed with some kind of coloured layer at the legal minimum level of wear. As a tyre wears through it goes red or yellow etc - plod can easily see if a tyre is knackered as can numpty drivers.
That's a good idea, and it must be technically possible these days with silica compounds that are used.
Last time I was at a tyre fitting place, a woman drove up in a 7-seat MPV. In which she presumably carried her many children, most of the time. The front tyres had NO tread on whatsoever - they were completely bald.
Mind boggling.
That is a good idea.
And yes, when my car was MOT'd recently, the woman before failed on all four tyres being bald. I had a look at them.
Not even close. Had been illegal for at least 1000 miles.
How do you not notice these things.
She was upset that her "new car" had failed, and my 9 year old lump sailed through.
And yes, when my car was MOT'd recently, the woman before failed on all four tyres being bald. I had a look at them.
Not even close. Had been illegal for at least 1000 miles.
How do you not notice these things.
She was upset that her "new car" had failed, and my 9 year old lump sailed through.
I was visiting my sister in London a fortnight ago, and one of the cars parked in her road was a 52plate golf. The front wheels were angled towards the pavement and had a just visible tread. The scary thing is that the owner obviously never checks, and it won't come up on an MOT untill approx August 2005!! 
In hindsight I suppose i should have reported it really.
I keep a very close eye on my tyres, partly due to the fact that because to the lowering etc i only get about 8000 miles out of a front set.
In hindsight I suppose i should have reported it really.
I keep a very close eye on my tyres, partly due to the fact that because to the lowering etc i only get about 8000 miles out of a front set.
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