TyreSafe, the UK’s tyre safety charity launched its campaign focusing on van tyre safety at its annual Briefing at St George’s Park, home of the National Football Centre.
The more than four million vans on our roads, they’re an essential part of the UK’s economy delivering £56bn in wages and clocking up over a billion miles each week.
TyreSafe is reminding drivers ‘Britain works on tyres’ and the need to ensure regular tyre checks are made and to avoid overloading.
Overloading is the most common offence identified at DVSA roadside checks and can result in fines of over £800. Overloading also accounts for 70% of prohibitions on LCVs – removing vans from the road.
Overloading puts extra stress on tyres and can be dangerous, with excess weight leading to a build-up of heat and consequently catastrophic failure can occur.
TyreSafe says a van’s maximum permissible weight is detailed in the handbook, along with the tyres’ appropriate load index. This is a two or three digit code which relates to how much weight it can safely carry.
Tyre pressure must also be correctly adjusted for the load. It’s not only safer but reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, which is good for business and the environment.
While those are being checked, attention should also be paid to the tyres’ general condition. Most vans encounter the odd pot hole or bump in their travels, and these can seriously damage tyres. Each tyre should be inspected for lumps, cuts or anything out of the ordinary.
Stuart Jackson, chairman of TyreSafe, said: “TyreSafe’s annual Briefing has provided the ideal opportunity to engage a wide range of stakeholders directly on the importance of van tyre safety. We’re grateful to the DVSA for sharing its data and case studies with us today and underlining how overloading is far too common on our roads. TyreSafe hopes that by sharing this message with van drivers we can help affect a change in attitude among them to consider their safety, and the safety of others, on the roads as their first priority.
“Britain Works on Tyres but those tyres need regular maintenance.”
