Firms could face large fines, and big hikes to their insurance premiums with drivers facing penalty points and even loss of licence – if police spot vehicles with defective tyres.
Fleet insurance comparison expert Quotezone.co.uk is urging fleet managers and drivers to check tyres on company vehicles before allowing them onto the road and say this October’s Tyre Safety Month is the perfect reminder.
Companies have an obligation under the Health and Safety Offences Act to ensure that the vehicles their staff use meet legal required standards, including roadworthy tyres – failure to do so can result in penalties of up to £20,000.
But it’s not just the firms that will be penalised, as Greg Wilson, founder of Quotezone.co.uk, explains: “Drivers can be personally fined up to £2,500 for each faulty tyre and 3 points on their driving licence even if the car or van belongs to the firm. If the police see another tyre falling short of the law it doubles to £5,000 and 6 points. Four faulty tyres could even see the maximum 12 points – resulting in the loss of a driving licence and possibly unemployment.”
Since 2010 motoring charity TyreSafe has promoted Tyre Safety Month. Its 2016 examination of 340,000 replacement tyres showed over 27% were illegal due to inadequate tread.
TyreSafe’s 2020 campaign covers all three key areas of routine tyre maintenance: air pressure; condition; and tread depth – ACT. The campaign seeks to encourage motorists to check their tyres at least once a month every month and before long journeys.
Quotezone.co.uk is a pioneer of comparison technology and one of the country’s leading fleet insurance comparison sites, helping businesses large and small find the right insurance at the right price for their fleets of company cars, vans, motorbikes or trucks.
