TyreSafe highly critical of winter tyre insurance premium hikes
Following a report in this week’s Auto Express magazine, TyreSafe, the UK’s leading tyre safety organisation, is concerned and disappointed at reported additional premiums being charged by some insurers for drivers fitting winter tyres. The magazine claims that some insurers regard the fitting of winter tyres as a vehicle modification, resulting in high insurance premiums for drivers. TyreSafe’s criticism has also been echoed by industry bodies RoadSafe and the NTDA. “Many independent tests have proven that winter weather tyres are the safest option for drivers throughout the entire winter period, not just when we have snowfall and ice,” explains Stuart Jackson, chairman, TyreSafe. “To penalise drivers for taking a positive step to improve their safety on the road seems absurd. With the high number of drivers still being killed or injured in tyre related accidents each year, we should be actively encouraging responsible behaviour, such as the fitting of winter tyres.” Winter weather tyres can be used all year round but their performance is notably better when temperatures fall below seven degrees Celsius. In these conditions ‘standard’ tyres begin to harden and lose their ability to grip the road surface properly. Winter weather tyres contain more natural rubber and advanced silica compounds to reduce the hardening process and improve grip. Tests conducted by the British Tyre Manufacturers Association found that a car braking at 60mph on a wet road at five degrees Celsius stopped five metres shorter, equivalent to more than one car length, when fitted with winter weather tyres. Drivers who decide not to fit winter weather tyres should still carry out a number of checks to reduce their chances of being involved in an accident. Tread depth should be checked to ensure that it easily exceeds the legal minimum requirements of 1.6mm across the central three quarters of the tyre, around its entire circumference. Tyre pressures should be checked at least once a month or before a long journey and the tyre should be inspected for any cuts, bulges or embedded objects. To help drivers further understand the benefits of winter weather tyres, TyreSafe has added a new dedicated section to its website along with an updated information leaflet which can be downloaded free of charge. To see the information visit www.tyresafe.org. Notes Tyres approved by both car and tyre manufacturers for winter are sometimes of a lower speed rating than the standard tyres as they tend to run warmer owing to their special winter compound. This lower rating is appropriate for winter conditions. For example, the winter tyre fitment for a vehicle equipped with a "V" rated summer tyre (for sustained speeds of up to 150 mph) might be "H" rated (up to130 mph, almost double the UK national speed limit) in the equivalent winter pattern. TyreSafe is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of the dangers of defective and worn tyres. In 2009, TyreSafe was awarded with the Prince Michael International Road Safety Award in recognition of its achievements in raising awareness about the dangers associated with driving on defective and worn tyres. TyreSafe supports the government’s ACT ON CO2 campaign which promotes Smarter Driving tips to help cut CO2 emissions from driving. TyreSafe is a signatory to the European Road Safety Charter which was launched in 2004 with the aim of halving the number of deaths on European roads by 2010. Useful Links TyreSafe – www.tyresafe.org Twitter – www.twitter.com/Tyresafe Prince Michael International Road Safety Awards - www.roadsafetyawards.com European Road Safety Charter - www.erscharter.eu/signatories/profile/13459 YouTube - www.youtube.com/user/TyreSafe PR Contact Danny Rughoobeer Red Marlin danny@redmarlin.co.uk T 01926 333245 M 07739 878365
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