Winter tyres 'can improve road safety'

Date: 23/12/2010

High quality winter tyres could help to improve road safety in the UK during the coldest months of the year, according to one organisation.

DIAmond Advanced Motorists, an administrator of advanced driving tests on behalf of the Driving Instructors Association, made this assertion and urged the government to prioritise raising awareness of the benefits of such tyres among the public.

It claims that there is a wide-spread perception that winter tyres are specifically for use when driving on snow, but that they can also improve the handling and braking capabilities of a vehicle when temperatures fall below seven degrees Celsius - meaning they could help benefit cars from autumn onwards.

In an article by the body in Driving magazine, it adds that a high profile television advertisement may help to make this information available to more members of the public.

DIA General Manager Steve Garrod said: "And apart from increased levels of road safety, the economic benefits of vehicles fitted with winter tyres are overwhelming: people can get to work, deliveries can get through - and let's not discount the reduction in car insurance claims caused by vehicles involved in collisions."

Earlier in the week, TyreSafe announced that Toyota and Lexus were the latest vehicle manufacturers to join it and help raise awareness of tyre care and maintenance.

Posted by Sarah Bailey