EASTLEIGH TYRE TECHNICIAN ISSUES WARNING ON VEHICLE SAFETY
15 May 2015
A technician from a tyre and vehicle maintenance centre in Bishopstoke Road, Eastleigh, has issued a stark warning to local motorists to check the condition of their tyres, pointing to a potentially ‘killer’ tyre he removed from a vehicle in recent days. The tyre was so badly worn that the steel cords were visible where the tread rubber had completely worn away.
The warning comes ahead of the May half-term getaway, when thousands of Hampshire families will embark on long journeys, making tyre condition critical to ensuring a trouble-free and safe family trip.
Mike Dolton of ATS Euromaster in Eastleigh, says: “If you drive a car or van you should inspect the overall condition of your tyres, the tread depths and pressures at least once a month and before any long journey. If in any doubt, pull onto our forecourt and one of our experts will do it for free – with no obligation, and no appointment required.
“Drivers should remember that wet grip deteriorates more rapidly as the tread depth wears down, meaning stopping distances on tyres nearing the legal limit can dramatically increase. Last year we had some of our heaviest rainfall during the summer months, so it pays to make sure your tyres are safe before setting off.”
A bald tyre, or one with the steel cords visible, is a ticking time bomb which risks losing its structure with every rotation. As the only part of a vehicle in contact with the road’s surface, the impact upon vehicle handling and stopping distances is significant.
Aged 19, Mike has worked in the motor trade for three years. He is part of a seven-man team at the Bishopstoke Road centre, which has five bays and undertakes everything from tyre and fast-fit work, to vehicle servicing and MOTs. The Eastleigh centre is one of 10 ATS Euromaster sites in Hampshire, and part of a network of more than 340 nationwide.
Department for Transport statistics from 2013 show that illegal, defective or underinflated tyres were the most common vehicle defect contributing to accidents in Great Britain where a Police officer attended the scene.
Tyres and the law
If you drive with damaged or extremely worn tyres you risk being fined, receiving points on your driving license, invalidating your vehicle insurance policy and endangering lives.
Car and van tyres must be fit for purpose. This means being compatible with the tyres fitted to the other wheels, not have any lump, bulge or tear caused by separation or partial failure of the structure, not have a cut or tear in excess of 25mm or 10% of the sectional width of the tyre, whichever is the greater, and which is deep enough to reach the ply or cord. Furthermore, no part of the ply or cord can be exposed.
The remaining tread depth must also be at least 1.6mm throughout a continuous band in the centre three-quarters of the tread and around the entire circumference.
For expert tyre advice visit your local ATS Euromaster centre or www.atseuromaster.co.uk/tyres
ends
About ATS Euromaster
Birmingham-based ATS Euromaster Ltd, part of the Euromaster Group, was established in 1965 and operates approximately 345 centres, more than 820 service vans and employs nearly 2,600 people, providing coverage across Great Britain. It is the country’s largest comprehensive tyre distributor, supplying tyres for cars, vans, trucks, buses/coaches, materials handling equipment, agricultural machinery and construction plant. The company’s expertise also extends to car and van service, maintenance and repair (SMR), including: menu-driven servicing, Class IV & Class VII MoT tests, brakes, batteries, shock absorbers, oil, exhausts, fault diagnostics and air-conditioning servicing. ATS Euromaster is accredited by both safecontractor and the Contractors Health and Safety Scheme (CHAS) and has been granted a Royal Warrant as tyre specialists to Her Majesty The Queen. It is also an official ‘industry partner’ to the Freight Transport Association’s Van Excellence programme. For further information visit: http://www.atseuromaster.co.uk
Note to editor: For press information visit ATS Euromaster’s online newsroom or contact James Boley or James Keeler on 020 8647 4467, or by email to james.boley@garnettkeeler.com / james.keeler@garnettkeeler.com.
ATS/594/15
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