94% of fleet cars and vans setting high standards for tyre safety
Expert technicians from local ATS Euromaster centres checked the tyres on 301 vehicles in Sheffield, Slough and Dunblane, as part of the Freight Transport Association’s (FTA) Van Excellence conferences held in 2013.
The car park inspections, similar to the routine checks performed by ATS Euromaster on behalf of its fleet customers, saw the tyre tread depth and overall condition of each tyre recorded.
Traffic light-style cards were then left on the windscreen of vehicles which had been inspected, advising of the current tread depths and warning of any action which needed to be taken.
Of the vehicles inspected, ATS Euromaster found 94% had more than 2mm of remaining tread on each tyre. 5% received “amber” warnings, advising that the tread depth on at least one tyre was 2mm or below and would need replacing imminently.
Just 1% of vehicles were being driven illegally, with one or more tyres below the 1.6mm limit – earning a red warning from the tyre technicians.
Commenting on the results, Peter Fairlie, ATS Euromaster’s group sales director, said: ‘It’s encouraging to see so many fleet managers are ensuring their vehicles are operating on safe tyres.
‘These results were much better than we would typically expect if we visited a fleet at random, where we weren’t carrying out routine safety checks. It suggests that fleet managers take tyre condition seriously, and suggests that members of the FTA’s Van Excellence programme are, on the whole, more tuned into vehicle safety issues.
‘Not only is driving a vehicle with a tread depth limit below 1.6mm illegal, but it is also extremely dangerous. Tyres are the only part of a vehicle in direct contact with the road’s surface, so ensuring they are regularly checked and in good condition is essential.’
Routine tyre safety inspections are a popular service provided by ATS Euromaster to many of its business customers. The inspections are typically organised where large numbers of vehicles are based such as company car parks or regional depots. Drivers are then advised of any remedial tyre work required, which can be carried out on-site or at one of ATS Euromaster’s 350 UK-wide centres.
‘Fleets understand how important driver safety is and by ensuring their vehicles’ tread depths are regularly checked, fleet managers are taking a simple step to keeping their drivers safe on the road,’ Fairlie added
Katie Beck
Katie joined Fleet World in 2012 as an editorial intern, following the completion of an English and American Literature BA from the University of East Anglia. She accepted a full-time position as an editorial assistant at the end of the internship period, and was promoted to the role of features editor in 2014. She works across the magazine and website portfolio, and administrates the social media channels.
