Older drivers tops for tyre safety

10/10/2007

When it comes to staying safe on the roads, older drivers are streets ahead of the rest, according to a new survey.
                                                             
Figures released by tyre manufacturer Bridgestone UK show that over-55s score the highest for checking their tyres and making sure they’re safe for driving.
 
But despite this, there is still a worrying lack of knowledge among the older age group about the legal requirements for tyre safety – leading to fears that some could be driving dangerous cars without realising it.
 
“The good news is that older motorists are much more conscientious than most when it comes to checking their tyres,” said Andy Lane, marketing manager of Bridgestone UK. “But we were concerned to see that many older drivers did not know the minimum legal requirements for tyre tread-depth, as it suggests that they could be checking their tyres without knowing what they should be looking for.
 
“It’s possible that some are driving around believing their cars are safe, when in fact they’re dangerously below the standards required.”
                                                 
Bridgestone UK carried out the poll as part of the Think Before You Drive campaign, run in association with the RAC Foundation and the FIA Foundation. It aims to cut down on the 34,351 deaths and serious injuries on UK roads each year.
 
Their survey found that:
 
    •     81.7% of over-55s have never driven with  passengers knowing that at least one of their tyres was unsafe – compared to just 74.7% on average
    •     Over-55s were better at checking their tyre tread-depths  regularly, with 56.2% having checked them within the last month, compared  to an average of 52.2%
    •     Nearly three-quarters (70.7%) have checked their tyre pressures  within the last month, compared to just 59.7% on average
 
But it also revealed that over-55s were only average for correctly identifying the legal tread-depth limit, with just 35.3% knowing the minimum requirement was 1.6mm, compared to 35% on average.
 
And they were the worst-performing age group for knowing that the maximum UK penalty for driving on worn tyres was a £2,500 fine and three penalty points per tyre. Just 20.9% knew this, compared to 21.9% of other drivers.
 
“We’re pleased that this age group is apparently aware of the importance of checking their tyres,” said Andy. “But these gaps in knowledge are worrying, and there is always room for improvement.
 
“Tyres affect how our cars grip the road, so it’s vitally important that we check them regularly – and correctly.”