RAC issues warning on check millions of UK drivers should do every month but don't

A mere one-third (33%) of motorists are diligent enough to inspect their vehicle's tyre tread at least once a month, a recent survey suggests.

The RAC, alongside the charity TyreSafe who conducted the study, has issued a stark warning that neglecting regular tyre checks could lead to accidents or hefty fines.

A worrying 20% of those surveyed admitted they only check their tyres sporadically, "when I remember to do it". Meanwhile, 6% perform checks just before their car's annual MOT, and a concerning 5% confessed to never checking at all.

In the UK, the legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm, and drivers caught with tyres below this standard risk three penalty points and a fine of up to £2,500 for each illegal tyre.

Department for Transport figures reveal that in 2023, illegal, defective, or underinflated tyres were a contributing factor in incidents that resulted in 185 people being killed or seriously injured.

RAC road safety spokesperson Rod Dennis emphasised the importance of regular checks: "Checking tyre tread takes just moments yet doing so has the potential to save lives on the roads."

He urged drivers to adopt a new year's resolution for 2025, making tyre checks a frequent routine, ideally every month. To measure tread depth, drivers can use a simple technique involving a 20p coin; if the coin's outer band is visible when inserted into the main grooves, the tread may be insufficient.

Stuart Lovatt, who chairs TyreSafe, said: “It’s concerning to see some drivers don’t consider the importance of regular tyre checks.

"Despite the high number of tyre-related breakdowns and the very real risk of incidents, some motorists leave it to their MOT to take action or don’t check at all."

This was revealed in a survey conducted