“One-Fifth of Fleet Cars Have Unsafe Tyres” – Kwik-Fit

Working on the figure of 20 per cent requiring attention, this means that, across the UK’s company car parc of three million vehicles and a further one million vans, up to 800,000 vehicles could be running on at least one unsafe tyre.

The Government is currently urging that Health and Safety laws, as well as road traffic legislation, be applied more rigorously to at-work driving incidents in a bid to cut road accidents.
Companies are being encouraged to ensure that risk management strategies are in place, with tyre checks being a vital feature of a comprehensive policy.

Kwik-Fit Fleet sales director Mike Wise described the figures as “shocking” and warned companies not to be complacent. Regular tyre checks are good policy, he says, pointing out: “After the first check has been carried out a lower proportion of tyres need to be fitted during each subsequent safety check because the unsafe tyre problem is under control.”

Mr. Wise also recommended not letting tyres wear to the legal minimum, saying: “If tyres are not changed before they wear to 1.6mm – we work to 2mm across the whole tread – drivers may be compromising the safety of themselves and other road users. To maintain safety and good driving performance it is advisable to change tyres before 1.6mm to ensure the tyre is in good, all-round condition.”

The tyre checks are carried out in company car parks when employees are at work, so there is no disruption to the working day and safety checks can be booked in advance.