Motorists 'risking safety by neglecting spare tyre'

Date: 28/4/2010

Drivers are putting their safety at risk by not checking their spare tyre, according to a new report.

The results noted 30 per cent of those quizzed in the survey by fastmap admitted to not giving their spare the once over to look for defects in the last three months.

A spokesman for the organisation remarked: "Whilst it is not illegal to have a spare below the legal 1.6mm tread depth, it does become illegal the moment it is fitted to the car."

He added that tests should be made as it could prevent a potentially dangerous situation from arising if motorists get a puncture.

The findings also showed that almost half of UK motorists had checked the tyre tread for their vehicles during the last month.

Recent figures by TyreSafe revealed that people are putting more pressure on their wheels by not inflating tyres to the recommended levels, which means more force is needed to move the automobile.