A simple 20p trick could save drivers from a fine of £10,000 over the autumn and winter months. As the weather turns towards the end of the year, driving can become more perilous, particularly when motorists are unprepared for adverse weather conditions and poor visibility.
Therefore, drivers are being urged to perform a simple test using their spare change before getting behind the wheel, which could help prevent accidents.
Ensuring tyres are not excessively worn could not only help avoid mishaps but also prevent insurance companies from refusing to pay out in the event of an accident. If tyres are not roadworthy, it could even lead to prosecution.
Driving with dangerous or defective tyres could result in a fine of up to £2,500 and three penalty points on your licence per tyre. Therefore, four illegal tyres could potentially lead to a fine of £10,000 and 12 penalty points, according to the RAC.
The 20p test is a method to check if the tread – the grooves in the rubber of tyres – is sufficiently deep to be safe and legal for the road.
As reported by Hull Live, the law stipulates that the tyre tread of the middle three quarters of the tyre must be at least 1.6mm deep on all tyres, which is the same depth as the band around a 20p coin. By inserting the coin into your tyre tread, you can determine if your tyres are legally fit for the road.
Why should you check tyre tread?
Tyre treads serve a very specific function. They assist in displacing water from beneath the wheels in wet conditions, ensuring the rubber of the tyre maintains grip on the road’s surface.
If the tyres can’t displace the water due to insufficient tread depth, there’s a risk that the car’s tyres will lose contact with the road, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. This phenomenon is known as aquaplaning and could lead to serious accidents at high speeds.
At high velocities, a tyre can displace a gallon of water from beneath the car every second, underscoring the importance of adequate tread depth.
What other steps can you take?
To avoid a penalty, an accident or both, check your tyres using the 20p test.
Safety charity Tyresafe offers additional advice: “While you’re checking tread, have a look at the tyre’s general condition. Tyre manufacturers don’t make tyres with bulges, cuts, nails or cracking in them so if any of these are visible, you need to have it examined by a tyre professional.”
You can utilise Confused.com’s garage price comparison or Which?’s good garage finder to locate a trustworthy local garage to inspect your tyres and carry out any necessary work.
If you require new tyres, you can purchase them online and have them fitted locally via BlackCircles.com, which should result in fewer unexpected costs.
Companies like Halfords also provide a free tyre check and promise to offer advice on how to address any issues, which will typically involve new tyres if required.