The number of tyre-related accidents could be on the rise after it emerged that an increasing number of van and other light commercial vehicle operators in the UK are neglecting the upkeep of their tyres.

According to the latest report from the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA), tyres are still the most common culprit during spot checks on light goods vehicles.

This finding is made more concerning by the fact that incidence rates have risen from 20 per cent to just under 26 per cent in the space of 12 months.

“Van tyres lead a particularly hard life,” emphasised Stuart Jackson, chairman of TyreSafe, “so it is critical that operators regularly check the condition of their tyres for signs of damage or premature and uneven wear.

“Building site debris or regular scuffing on kerbs during delivery drops can cause significant damage to tyres. If left unchecked, they may fail at a critical moment, risking serious injury for the driver and other road users.”

Responsibility for the condition of a vehicle’s tyres sits on the shoulders of both with the van driver and the business itself and drivers could be hit with a fine of £2,500 and three penalty points for each illegal tyre.

Business owners who fail in their responsibility to ensure their vehicles are safe and roadworthy also face a maximum penalty of £20,000.

“This rising trend of tyre related prohibition defects is extremely worrying,” continues Jackson. “I would urge all businesses, large or small, that operate vans and other light commercial vehicles to ensure they have robust procedures in place to regularly check the condition of their fleet’s tyres.”

To help businesses and van users understand their responsibilities towards tyre care and other issues they need to consider, TyreSafe – a not-for-profit organisation aimed at raising awareness on the dangers of defective and worn tyres – has launched a new dedicated van tyre safety section on its website.

Visit www.tyresafe.org for useful tips and guides as well as a free downloadable safety leaflet.

Source: FleetDirectory.co.uk

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