Drivers are urged to make tyre checks now

Drivers are being urged to ensure their tyres are in good condition now rather than wait until bad winter weather turns roads into a skid pan.

The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) said that as tyres only had the area of the sole of a shoe in touch with the road at any one time, it was a "no-brainer" to keep them in top condition.

The motoring charity warned extra care was needed at this time of the year when sudden heavy showers could profoundly affect tyre performance.

Roads might also be worn out due to cut-backs on resurfacing, IAM added.

Peter Rodger, IAM chief examiner, said: "Under-inflation causes excessive tyre-wear, with every 10 per cent under the recommended optimum decreasing tyre life by 10 per cent.

"Vehicles of drivers found to be at fault in high-speed accidents were found to be six times more likely to have worn tyres than those of the other drivers involved.

"Keeping your tyres maintained is an important part of car-care, not only for safety but also for fuel-economy; under-inflated tyres will increase fuel consumption."

Mr Rodger advises motorists to check the general state of tyres for cuts and bumps and check they are correctly inflated, ideally when they are cold.

The legal minimum for tyre tread in the UK is 1.6mm, but for optimum safety drivers are advised to start looking for replacements if the depth is below 3mm.

IAM said even if tyres were legal, they still might not be at an optimum for braking safely in all conditions. When there is a 2mm film of water on the road, even 2mm of tread may give no better stopping friction than a bald tyre, according to the charity.