Motorists are being encouraged to carry out basic safety checks on their car tyres before heading out on road trips now that lockdown restrictions have eased across Scotland.
Socts can now travel almost anywhere in the UK, although on Friday, Nicola Sturgeon announced a ban on visiting three English local council areas due to rising numbers of the Indian variant of Covid-19.
The First Minister urged people not to visit family or friends in Bedford, Bolton, Blackburn and Darwen amid fears over the new strain.
Despite that small restriction, there are still plenty of places to visit and the motoring experts at LeaseVan.co.uk have compiled a list of the checks drivers need to make to ensure they’re safe on the road - before they travel.
Among the checks are looking at the overall condition of tyres including the pressure and tread - failure to have legal tyres, particularly when it comes to tread, can result in fines and penalty points.
Essential car tyre checks to conduct before your next road trip
Tyre condition
Take a close look at your tyres to check they’re in good working order - check for cuts, tears and bulges as well as any stones or nails caught in them and damage to the side wall.
A bulge or lump could be caused by hitting a pothole or kerb and can be dangerous. Cuts can also be caused by potholes and driving over sharp objects.
Tyres will wear unevenly if they are under or over inflated. While they may still be legal, they won’t last as long so it’s worthwhile getting them checked.
Tyre pressure
The correct tyre pressure means you can brake, grip and steer safely. Having an over or under inflated tyre can make a huge difference to the way your vehicle drives and most cars are fitted with a tyre pressure monitoring system.
If yours doesn’t, check the levels before your journey and if you need to, top up at your local garage. Checking the pressure is simple - to get a reading, just unscrew the valve cap on the tyre and attach the gauge.
The recommended tyre pressure is different for each car so check your manual or look online.
Tread
Checking your tread is one of the most important safety checks.
The best way to check tread is by using a 20p piece - simply take the coin and insert into the tread grooves of the tyre.
If you can’t see the outer band on the coin, your tyres are legal and if you can, get your tyres checked by a professional.
Spare tyre
If you do carry a spare tyre, remember to check that too. It needs to be roadworthy should you ever need it.
A spokesperson for LeaseVan.co.uk said: “With many Britons likely to holiday in the UK this year rather than head overseas, more road trips will certainly be on the cards.
“Making sure your vehicle is roadworthy, compliant with legal requirements and safe is essential.
“Checking tyres is the obvious place to start and there are simple checks motorists can carry out at home. However, our advice is, if you’re not sure, get your tyres checked by a professional before heading out on the road.”
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