Every May, Global Road Safety Week prompts an honest reflection on how safe we really are on the roads. While car technology is constantly evolving, one critical safety component is often overlooked: tyres. According to TyreSafe, casualties linked to defective tyres on UK roads have surged by 29% in recent years, a figure that should concern every motorist, especially those responsible for fleets.
Davanti Tyres, a British brand known for combining high-performance innovation with everyday usability, is stepping forward with three straightforward tyre safety checks all drivers should commit to.
1. Monthly Visual Checks Could Save Lives
Take five minutes each month to inspect your tyres. Look out for signs of damage, cracks, or bulging. Check the pressure too, underinflated tyres can wear unevenly and affect handling. You wouldn’t drive with faulty brakes, so why risk unsafe tyres?
Motor Verso tip: Tyres could naturally lose about 1 psi per month. Use a digital pressure gauge and keep a log on your phone, it’s easy, quick and could help avoid a breakdown or worse.
2. Use the 20p Test for Tread Depth
Insert a 20p coin into your tyre’s main tread groove. If the outer rim of the coin is visible, it’s time for new tyres. Driving on illegal tread depth doesn’t just compromise safety, it could cost you up to £2,500 per tyre and three points on your licence.
Pro insight: At Motor Verso, we’ve seen cars with seemingly ‘okay’ tyres perform poorly under emergency braking tests. Tread depth is more than a legal checkbox, it’s your lifeline in the wet.
3. Avoid Kerb-Crashing and Mind the Potholes
Mounting the kerb or hitting potholes at speed doesn’t just knock out your wheel alignment, it can silently weaken the tyre structure. Once alignment is off, tyre wear becomes uneven, fuel economy drops, and handling gets sketchy.
Mechanic’s note: After a hit, get a proper alignment check. Don’t just eyeball it. Many tyre shops will check alignment for free or at a minimal cost.
Why This Matters More Than Ever
Peter Cross, CEO of Davanti Tyres, reminds us: “Tyres are rarely seen as a safety feature of a vehicle, but they are the only element connecting it to the road”. It’s a sentiment we echo at Motor Verso. Tyres don’t just influence performance, they shape your entire driving experience, from fuel efficiency to how your car responds in an emergency.
Davanti, a brand engineered in the UK and tested across more than 40 performance disciplines, is doing its part by building tyres that perform in extreme weather, terrain, and daily use. But once fitted, the responsibility is yours.
Bottom Line: Checking your tyres is the simplest, most cost-effective way to boost road safety. This Global Road Safety Week, take a pledge to inspect, inflate, and tread check. Your future self might thank you.
