Motorists have been urged to use a simple 20p hack to help them avoid potential fines totalling thousands and penalty points on their licence. Under the Road Traffic Act, it's illegal to drive with a tread depth lower than 1.6mm, and drivers caught with illegal tyres could face a fine of £2,500 and three penalty points per tyre.
The penalty could be far more severe for new drivers – two worn tyres is the equivalent of six points, enough for a driving ban. However, motorists have been reminded that an easy way to check your tyre depth is by using the border of a 20p coin, which is slightly larger than the limit.
Many drivers unaware of the trick
It comes after a recent poll of 2,000 people, released during Tyre Safety Month, found that 38 per cent of motorists didn't know about the trick, rising to 59 per cent among younger drivers. Nearly a third are unaware of the hefty fine they could face if caught driving with illegal tyres, according to the OnePoll.com study, and 64 per cent didn't know about the 1.6mm legal tread limit.
Expert advice for winter journeys
Karen Bellairs, chief customer officer at Halfords added: “Getting winter-ready is about more than putting an ice scraper in the car. When roads are wet or icy, the condition of your tyres matters to the safety of every journey.
“You don’t have to be a car expert to check them. A 20p piece can help you spot when your tyre tread may be too low, giving you a chance to act before your next journey. And if you’re unsure what you’re looking for, our experts are here to help.”
