Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
EIGHT IN TEN motorists check the air pressure of their tyres every six months or more often, with three in ten doing so at least once a month.
However, one in ten people only do this once a year or less.
These figures are from a survey carried out by the Road Safety Authority (RSA).
The organisation questioned 1,000 motorists and found that eight out of ten (79%) drivers know how to check the air pressure of their tyres and seven in ten (72%) know how to check the tread depth.
One in ten people (22%) stated that they check tread depth at least once per month.
Male drivers who took part in the survey were much more likely to state they knew how to do each of these checks, compared to female drivers.
Younger motorists (aged under 24 and 25-34) were more likely than any other age group to have bought part-worn tyres in the past.
In support of Irish Road Safety Week, which begins today, Irish Tyre Industry Association (ITIA) members will be providing free tyre checks to motorists at participating garages.
Moyagh Murdock, Chief Executive of the RSA, said:
We are concerned with the level of part worn tyres being used on vehicles, some are on sale for as little as 10 euro. When you consider that tyres are your only contact with the road, you really have to ask yourself is this the value you place on your family’s life?
Chief Superintendent Mark Curran added:
“Tyres are the only part of your vehicle that separate you from the road so it is critical that they are in roadworthy condition at all times. We would encourage everyone to avail of the free tyre check next week and ensure they are up to standard, particularly as winter approaches.”
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
i usually give a passing garda car the finger…. they follow me immediately stop me and give my car a full check lights tires even check me for asthma by blowing into their breath testing device….. the gards are sound.
And if you discuss your recent encounters with their mothers you can also get a free rectal examination.
There’s an easy way to check your tyres.. There’s a little marker between the groves of the tyres. When that is level with the thread of your tyres it’s time to get new ones..
NCT guys say 3mm, Rules of the Road say 1.6mm…. who do you listen to!?!
It’s advised you change them
At 3mm. Depending on the marker your looking at. Some are set at 4m and 2m for different European markets. The budget tyres tend to mark at 1.6. NCT also advise to change any tyres older than 6 years.
Also those who think they are doing right by replacing them only to stick cheep Chinese ditch finders on the car. Don’t scrimp on tyres folks, it’s not worth it.
Part worn tyres are absolutely fine if you know what brand you want before you go in to get them fitted. Get a good brand, check them before fitting, and it’s fine. Go in blind, and they’ll give you any old shite that comes to hand.
Only problem is you don’t know the history of the tyre. I personally wouldn’t risk a part worn of any brand.
Why the hell is vat @23% applied to car tyres..they should be zero rated in the interest of safety..
Same way they apply VAT and VRT to safety equipment in a car. In fact if you import a car that has optional extras fitted like traction control, lane departure warning, auto assist breaking, radar controlled cruise control, additional airbags you’ll be hit with a higher VRT bill as well as paying the higher rate of tax on those extras. Crazy, agreed that safety equipment should be vat free to encourage more people to get them fitted.
Sure if you buy a second hand car you’re inheriting part worn tyres.
Most partworns are imported from Europe where you have a 4mm legal limit in some countries and have to have a winter set of tyres. Your a fool thinking part worns are safe. It’s an economic misnomer that your saving money. As for “Chinese ditchfinders”. Look into grip and fuel economy ratings on all new tyres sold within Europe. It’ll surprise you. It shocked the premium manufacturers
That’s nonsense. They were removed for a reason.
The Chinese manufacturers lie on the tyre performance stickers required by law on all new tyres.
I’ve been working in this industry for 26 years. They’re all tested to EU safety standards. Educate yourself
1. The majority of second hand tyres are winter tyres. Reason I know is I inspected independent garages on behalf of the ministry of transport before moving back to Ireland
2. The reason I know for a fact all manufacturers tyres are checked for EU standards is the noise decibel warning on the label. In many countries in Europe that is part of their NCT/mot.
Any queries contact me directly.
The cynic in me will say you’ll be told the change them…no matter how good or bad they may be.
I don’t believe the survey one way or the other. No way imo, do people check tyre pressure properly. They may look at the tyre or give it a kick, but I can;t see them actually checking pressure. Most people I know don;t even check the oil that regularly, nor a mind say tyre pressure.
I check mine at lease once a month when I wash the car.
I check mine when im in the shower.
It absolutely amazes me to see people neglecting the tyres on their car. As the man says – it is the only part of the car in contact with the road.
You haven’t seen my car Reg, the feckin exhaust is hanging off it!!
Am I the only one sick to death looking at this idiots face? He’s the king of photo opportunities. The whole summer was full photos of his less than pleasing face
Tyres are a fun way to gamble as well. If getting a taxi with 3 friends, allocate a tyre to each patron. I recommend front passenger = front left tyre, back left passenger = back left tyre, middle back = back right tyre and back right passenger = drivers tyre. Fiver a patron. Upon arrival at destination ask taxi man not to drive off. Examine each tyre. Whoevers nozzle is closest to the ground wins the loot. Be warned though, some taxi drivers get alarmed as they think they are about to get robbed or not paid. But once taxi man paid everyone has a good laugh.
We are tyred of this government lol.
“One in ten people (22%)” Top quality math from The Journal there
where can we find the list of participants
There’s a link in the article ” participating garages”
http://www.itia.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=102&Itemid=63
Do the Rsa think everyone driving a car is thick… Most people who risk driving on bad tyres usually cannot afford to replace them. . like everything else related to motoring nothing is cheap.and now yet again were being forced to get high visibility jackets and first aid kits. .While I agree first aid kits are important. you should not be forced to have it.
forced to get first aid and high visibility jackets? I’ve been under a rock. what the story there
Has anyone ever gone to a place that sells tyres and asked them to check the tyres and try say no they’re all fine but that’ll be 5/10euro for the check. It’s always free 52 weeks a year. Raise awareness but to says its free this week only is false
That is all nonsense, hot air coming out of a Quango, the RSA. Between them and that know all, Conor Faughnan we are being driven astray. Faughnan loves to hear himself talking, mostly Bullsh.t.A few years back he was reading out on AA Roadwatch, now he seems to be an expert on everything to do with road traffic. They all talk far too much, it is mostly hot air.
have your say