Millions of motorists driving on dodgy tyres
Pic: Getty/Rubberball
Millions of motorists could be putting their lives in danger by driving on dodgy tyres in a bid to save money. According to research by car insurance firm LV, some 1.5 million drivers are on the road with sub-standard tyres as they try to cut the cost of vehicle maintenance.
Over the past five years, 23 million sets of part-worn tyres were sold to British consumers, and of those, more than 25 per cent were not legally fit for purpose.
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Furthermore, over 50 per cent of drivers who took the part-worn option were unaware of the legal safety requirement of at least 1.6mm tread over three-quarters of the tyre.
Despite 570,000 motorists saying that they had skidded as a result of second-hand tyres, the number of motorists being stopped by police for driving on defective tyres has risen by 7,751, and increase of nine per cent, since 2009.
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Those caught driving on dodgy tyres risk a £100 fixed fine and three penalty points for each sub-standard tyre, while courts can also impose a maximum fine of £2,500.
But perhaps worst of all, drivers risk their own safety, and that of other road users, by resorting to cheap, part-worn tyres.
As the LV report says: "Driving with sub-standard tyres not only compromises vehicle safety but it is also a criminal offence."
Have you had an accident as a result of driving on part-worn tyres? Leave your comments below...
