Tyre safety is not just a matter of vehicle maintenance, but a critical aspect of road safety.

Yet just 14% of 2,000 UK drivers surveyed in a recent research study conducted by Bridgestone1, described them as the most crucial safety feature on their cars in relation to road safety. In fact, the survey revealed that despite tyres being the only contact points between a vehicle and the road, the majority of motorists didn’t deem them to be as important as airbags (24%).

Recognising the importance of tyre safety is essential for all drivers to ensure optimal vehicle performance and most importantly, to prevent potential accidents on the road. So don’t compromise on your road safety – make sure you do the following regularly:

The legal minimum tyre tread depth in the UK is 1.6mm across at least ¾ of the tyre. You can check this using a depth gauge or even a 20p coin! Insert a 20p coin into the tread – If any part of the coin’s border is visible, it’s time to change the tyres. Whilst inspecting the tread depth, pay attention to whether the tread has worn evenly.

Check that your tyre pressures are correct in all tyres. You can normally find the vehicle manufacturer’s tyre pressure recommendations on a plate to the right of the driver’s seat. The alternative locations to find your pressures are inside the fuel filler flap or in the driver’s manual.

Check your tyres regularly for defects by running your hand slowly along the sidewalls and checking for bulges, cuts, protruding wire, or projecting items such as screws or nails. We recommend wearing gloves. If you are concerned about the condition of your tyres after these checks visit your nearest Bridgestone tyre dealer.

Vehicles have maximum weight recommendations which can be found in your vehicle owner's manual. Your tyres also have a maximum load rating stamped on their sidewall. Obeying these limits is important since excessive loads are hard on the tyres and affect the vehicle ride and handling. The heavier the car, the worse the fuel economy will be as well.