Sinclair Servicing
Book your vehicle in for a service at Swansea or Cardiff and you’ll experience a level of quality and reliability that is synonymous with the Volkswagen brand.
Whether you are a small business or a major fleet operator, you’ll be dealt with by professional and highly trained people who are dedicated to keeping your vehicle on the move.
Defective tyre convictions increasing
Court convictions in England and Wales for driving on defective tyres are at a four-year high, new official figures show.
In 2010, 10,475 motorists were convicted – almost 1,000 more than the previous year.
“We are aware that with recent financial pressures, many motorists are delaying the purchase of new tyres,” said Stuart Jackson, the chairman of TyreSafe. “However, some are waiting far too long and are risking their own safety and that of other roads users by going beyond the legal minimum standards.”
Current UK law requires a minimum of 1.6mm tread depth across the central three quarters of the tyre, around its entire circumference. Drivers who fail to comply with the regulations face a fine of up to £2,500 and three penalty points for each illegal tyre. They also risk seeing a motor insurance claim denied.
However, it seems from a new survey of 2,000 motorists by Confused.com that many people simply don’t know how to keep their tyres roadworthy:
- 57% didn’t know the correct tread depth for their tyres.
- 58% didn’t know the correct pressure of their tyres.
- 87.4% do not change their tyres for winter weather.
“An easy way of checking tyre tread is the 20p check,” said Gareth Kloet at Confused.com. “Place a 20p coin into the main tread of the tyre and if the rim of the coin is covered by the tread this shows it is a legal, roadworthy tyre.”
Eight top tips for safe winter motoring
In spite of the last two severe cold winters, many councils are planning to cut back on winter road services, including salting and snowploughing, exposing motorists to dangerous driving conditions, research by the Institute of Advanced Motorists has found.
That makes it even more important, says the IAM’s chief executive Simon Best, to take care in severe weather conditions:
- Is your journey essential? If possible postpone or reschedule your trip and don’t ignore police warnings about closed roads.
- Double or even triple your normal stopping distance from the vehicle in front. Drive so that you don’t rely on your brakes to be able to stop - on an icy surface they simply may not do that for you. Keep moving as much as possible, even if it is only at walking pace.
- On a downhill slope, get your speed low before you start the descent and do not let it build up - it is much easier to keep it low than to try and slow down if things get slippery.
- Start gently, avoiding high revs, and use second gear to avoid wheelspin. If you get into a skid, the main thing is to take your foot off the pedals and steer. Only use the brake if you can’t steer out of trouble.
- Plan your journey around busier roads as they are more likely to have been gritted. Avoid short cuts on minor roads, especially country lanes.
- Always clear your windows, lights and mirrors. Don’t forget that snow on the bonnet can blow back onto your windscreen, so clear that off as well.
- Make sure you have an emergency kit in case you breakdown. This should include a charged-up mobile phone, torch, food for energy, water and a blanket. For snow you also need a shovel. On longer journeys, always let someone know you have set off and tell them your planned route.
- You can also improve your car’s performance in snow by fitting winter tyres.
A new website is available, drivingadvice.org.uk, for advice on dealing with all winter weather conditions.
