ITIA wants penalty points for defective tyres

Kevin Farrell, President ITIA, highlighted the safety implications of this increase in tyre related failures in the NCT and stated: “We urgently need penalty points for tyre offences. I am calling on the government to take action now. This is a serious safety issue for road users. The government have the power to solve this problem immediately by introducing and enforcing penalty points for illegal tyres.  If we continue allow the national fleet to drive on unsafe tyres it will cost lives.  We need action on this today.”

The ITIA is advising motorists that tyres are their only contact with the road and ultimately they are what holds the car on the road and what stops the car.
Independent tests world wide have shown that a reduction in tread depth seriously affects the performance of your vehicle on the road. The RSA advises that motorists consider changing their tyres when they get to 3mm in tread depth, even though the legal tread limit is 1.6mm.

Mr Farrell added: “The results from the NCT highlight the alarming increase in tyre related failures and clearly shows that motorists are taking more chances, by putting off changing their tyres and driving on tyres not suitable for the road conditions. This is a huge safety issue for everyone on our roads.  Even if you have looked after your tyres, if the driver behind you has bald tyres, they may not be able to stop in time when they need to.  The ITIA believe that the introduction of penalty points for tyres below the legal limit and in poor condition will make a positive impact on road safety nationally.”

In addition to those cars that failed a further number passed but were given an advisory note i.e. the tyres were above 1.6mm but below 3mm and likely to need replacement in the near future. Figure 2 below provides that data.