TYRE dealers throughout Dublin are inviting motorists to have their tyres checked as part of Road Safety Week, as research by the Irish Tyre Industry Association (ITIA) shows motorists are leaving it too late in replacing their tyres.
In support of this safety initiative, the gardai will be out checking tyres for tread depth and general condition this week.
The ITIA survey of over 600 tyres on cars which came into tyre outlets last month showed 27 per cent of them to be below the legal tread depth limit of 1.6mm, with almost one in five having only 1mm of tread or less.
The ITIA recommends that motorists change their tyres when the tread depth reaches 3mm, but only 40 per cent of tyres assessed were found to be compliant with this recommendation.
As part of the RSA’s Road Safety Week, ITIA member outlets nationwide are offering free tyre checks to motorists who drop in this week, among them Tyre and Service Superstore Walkinstown and St Margaret’s Road Finglas; Phoenix Tyre Company, Jones Road; AA Tyremaster Greenhills Road; Ace Tyres and Exhausts, Sandyford Industrial Estate; Tyre and Service Superstore Tallaght; Modern Tyres Belgard Road and Discount Tyre and Service Ballycoolin Road. No appointment is necessary.
Thursday, October 9 has been deemed Tyre Safety Day, when gardai will be specifically concentrating their roadside checks on tyres.
“We are pleased with the increased attention being placed on tyres in this year’s Road Safety Week, as our latest research findings certainly testify to the need for more awareness,
? said Kevin Farrell, President of the ITIA.
“A majority of motorists are failing to replace their tyres at the point where their stopping performance dips significantly, and one quarter are even letting their tyres wear beyond the 1.6mm legal limit.
“Worn tyres can cost lives. A simple five-minute visit to a local ITIA tyre outlet this week is all it takes to ensure your tyres are fit for purpose in advance of the Garda drive.
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Assistant Commissioner John Twomey, head of the Traffic Corps, added:
“Although the minimum legal tyre tread depth is 1.6mm for cars and 1mm for motorcycles, the simple fact is the more tread depth you have, the more grip you have on the road.
“Considering we are moving into wetter weather, this fact is all the more relevant. We appeal to all drivers and riders to specifically check the tread depth and condition of their tyres, and if necessary arrange for them to be changed.
“A simple visual check will identify an excessively worn or damaged tyre, so there is absolutely no excuse for driving with this obvious defect. Remember, road safety starts with you.
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