As children prepare to return to school in a few weeks time after the lockdown, parents are being urged to ensure that cars used on the school run are fitted with safe and legal tyres.
So to help ensure you transport your precious load safely, and avoid a fixed charges and penalty points if your tyres are below the legal limit of 1.6mm, Kevin Burke Tyres have compiled three simple checks you can do at home:
Tyre pressure - should be in line with those recommended by the car manufacturer (see vehicle handbook )
Tread depths - should be greater than the minimum legal tread depth of 1.6mm across the central three quarters of the tyre, around its entire circumference.
General tyre condition - to ensure there are no lumps, cuts or foreign objects embedded in the tread.
18 years ago in 2003, the Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles ) Regulations established requirements for the conditions of car tyres and tread. These regulations were put into place because legislators wanted drivers on the road to take greater responsibility for their own safety and the safety of other motorists.
As a result, driving with worn or damaged tyres for an extended period of time now reflects malicious intent. If you do so, you’re not only putting your own life at risk, but you’re also endangering the other drivers around you. If caught driving with tyres that don’t comply with tyre legislation, you risk:
a fine of €2,500
3 months in prison
5 penalty points on your licence upon conviction
It is recommended to check your tyre or to get an expert to do so. Keep an eye out for cracks or crazing of side walls; Loss of tyre pressure on a consistent basis, despite refills; Bulges or deformations in the tyre that impact symmetry; Vibrations through the tyres as you drive
You can choose between three categories of tyres when determining which best suit your car in a given time of the year:
Winter tyres – these tyres have tread that will dig into any ice and snow on the roads, and they remain more flexible than standard tyres in the winter.
Summer tyres – not strictly seasonal, these tyres are the most commonly used in Ireland.
All-season tyres – these tyres are ideal for versatile cars and can move from wet roads to dry roads with ease.
To consult the experts, pop into Kevin Burke Tyres in Riverside, Galway City; Furzeypark, Athenry or Crowe Street, Gort, the next time you are passing and their friendly team will check them out for you.
For a tyre check, contact Kevin Burke Tyres, Galway 091-769636;, Gort 091-632800 and Athenry 091-845329.
