If drivers had performed routine vehicle maintenance prior to leaving, such as checking their tyres, many of those breakdowns may have been prevented.
National Highways has already started a new campaign to urge drivers to check their tires frequently and always before lengthy trips.
National Highways is in charge of maintaining the nation’s motorways and important A roads.
Tyre problems accounted for the majority of vehicle breakdowns on National Highways highways in 2021 (41,560 versus 35,892 in 2020, when traffic volumes were hampered by the Covid-19 lockdowns).
More than 19,300 breakdowns caused by tyre issues have already occurred this year.
Jeremy Phillips, Director of Road Safety at National Highways, said:
There will be more traffic and longer trips as soon as the schools get out for the summer.
We are aware that having a breakdown may be a very distressing event; nobody likes to begin their vacation stuck on the side of a busy road.
So, we’re encouraging drivers to inspect their cars before they leave, especially the tyres.
Unsafe tires put you and others in danger and increase your chance of receiving a hefty fine and penalty points.
A quick check of your tires’ tread and pressure could help you avoid a breakdown and ensure that you arrive at your destination without incident.
According to National Highways statistics, the busiest time of the year for breakdowns is during the summer vacation period.
In 2021, there were an average of 5,000 breaks each week on the network, with 21,307 breakdowns in July and 20,526 in August.
Driving without the legally allowed amount of tread on tires can have a negative impact on grip, braking distance, and steering in addition to increasing the chance of a breakdown.
Driving with either under- or over-inflated tires can have a negative impact on braking distances, steering, fuel efficiency, and tire life.
Drivers who are pulled over by the police while using illegal tires risk £2,500 fines and three penalty points for each tire.
Driving advise from National Highways is as follows:
Check the condition of all tires, including the spare, and make sure the tire pressure is appropriate for the weight.
Keep an eye out for cuts or wear on the sidewall as well as the rest of the tire.
To verify your tires’ tread depth, which must be at least 1.6mm, see the law. insert a 20p coin into the tread’s main grooves.
The tyre’s tread depth is enough if you can’t make out the coin’s raised outer rim, which is inscribed with the words “Twenty pence.”
The recommended tire pressure for each vehicle varies and may change based on the amount you’re hauling.
This is typically located in your vehicle’s handbook, on the inside of the driver’s door, or on the gas cap.
Chief Executive Officer of the National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA), Stefan Hay, stated:
According to the most recent statistics, tires continue to be the primary cause of accidents on the vital road network.
The NTDA is not particularly surprised by this, since our own research revealed that 60% of surveyed drivers admitted to never inspecting their tires, and the majority had very little knowledge of tyre management concerns including the required tread depth.
Therefore, the NTDA and its members are thrilled to assist National Highways once more with this crucial Summer Tyre Safety Campaign.