UK Drivers Seldom Check Their Tires...

...and often get into some type of car crash just because of this reason. According to a study conducted by safety organization TyreSafe, nearly 25 percent of East Anglia and North West almost never check the depth of the tire tread on their cars. In Wales, only 40 percent claim they did so within the last month, the same percentage as in Scotland.

“Although drivers in East Anglia and the North West showed the greatest levels of neglect with regard to tyre safety, our survey revealed a shocking number of drivers right across the country are failing to take adequate steps which could stop them from being involved in a car accident,” Stuart Jackson, TyreSafe chairman said when announcing the results of the study.

Of course, you could think "right, why should I check the tire thread?" Well, if not because of the increased risk of getting into a car crash, then think about the £2500 fine and three penalty points, PER TYRE, if they catch you with not enough "meat" on the tires.

To avoid that, TyreSafe tells us the current legal requirement for tires is "1.6mm of tread across the central three quarters of the tread, around its entire circumference." We bet you're already wondering how the hell could YOU measure that?

Of course, just looking at the damn thing won't do, so you'd need a tread depth gauge. If you don't know how to use one, or what one is, for that matter, we'll tell you...to go to a garage or tire dealer and get the job done.