A survey by TyreSafe, a non-profit organisation set up to boost awareness about tyre safety among drivers, found that a number of company car drivers fail to take simple safety precautions with respect to tyre safety.

During the survey, a good 25% of company car drivers admitted that they have never conducted a tyre check on the vehicle they drive. An additional 41% claimed that they had not checked the tyres in the past 6 months. Failure to check the tyres for usability and depth of tread can cause serious accidents that may lead to injuries and even death.

The drivers and owners need to take the issue seriously and put in place specific systems to ensure that such accidents can be avoided, believes TyreSafe. The Chairman of TyreSafe, Stuart Jackson, reiterated the point by stating that the onus of responsibility for these precautions rests on both the company and the driver. Each driver is required to take responsibility for his vehicle and the company is required to make sure that its drivers are conducting the necessary checks properly.

The issue assumes great importance with company fleets, as company cars cover a good 20,000 miles every year, which is significantly higher than private vehicles. A proper check as part of health and safety responsibilities once a month is enough to ensure that the vehicle is indeed in good condition.

TyreSafe suggests a simple technique for checking the depth of tyre tread. It is termed the ‘lifesaver in your pocket’ initiative. Drivers have to insert a 20p coin into the deepest groove among the treads of a tyre. If the coin does not fully disappear from view, then the tread may have been eroded. In such a case, an examination by a professional is necessary.

According to road safety laws, tyres should conform to the legal requirement of 1.6mm thickness across the central three-quarters of the tread. Failure to conform to this regulation can lead to penalties and fines.

Accredited courses by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health can assist companies in training staff to be aware of the proper health and safety procedures for all kinds of workplace situations. The IOSH Managing Safely Course is for managers and supervisors in any sector and any organisation. It is designed to give managers all they need to know to help handle health and safety in their teams.