CAR-OWNERS STILL NOT TAKING TYRE HEALTH SERIOUSLY Telesure MD, Thomas Creamer reminds vehicle owners to check

tyre health as winter approaches and the roads become slicker. Perhaps the importance of tyre health somehow got diluted in the borage of messages over the recent holiday period because tyre failure was once again a top cause of car accidents on South African roads over Easter. This is an indication that vehicle-owners are still underestimating the importance of checking tyre safety, says Thomas Creamer, MD of Telesure. Creamer continues, We would like stress again how important it is to drive with tyres that are fit for the road. This time its got nothing to do with the holidays or driving long distances. Thats because driving with damaged or worn out tyres is a major safety risk regardless of whether youre driving 25 kilometres up the road or 550 kilometres cross country. Its also illegal, and your insurance company could refuse to pay your claim if youre in an accident and unroadworthy tyres are found to have caused it. South African road traffic law states that the minimum tread on a passenger vehicles tyres must be at least 1mm, while pick-ups should have 3mm and trucks 5mm. Tyres that do not meet these requirements are deemed un-roadworthy and are actually not permitted on public roads. Although tyres with tread of 1mm are considered legal, tyre manufacturers have warned carowners that driving with tyres with tread of below 3mm increases the risk of accidents because the tyres ability to maintain traction is compromised, particularly in heavy rain. Bulging tyres are also potentially dangerous because a bulge is usually indicative of some damage on the inside of the tyre. Tyres with significant cuts can be dangerous and could be illegal if the cuts are long enough. Aside from ensuring that tyres have adequate tread and no significant damage that could make them unsafe, vehicle-owners should also make sure that their cars tyres are properly inflated. Over-inflated tyres dont hold the road optimally while under-inflated tyres can overheat and fail. We encourage vehicle-owners to inspect their tyres for tread wear and damage on a monthly basis. If you are in any doubt as to what is considered legal and safe when it comes to your cars tyres, get them checked at a credible tyre fitment centre. While youre there ask to have the wheel alignment checked and rectified because if its off kilter, it can affect your cars performance and cause irregular wear of your tyres, reducing their lifespan, says Creamer. Creamer concludes saying that car-owners should make tyre health a priority throughout the year, not just when theyre heading off on a long distance trip. If your tyres are un-roadworthy or unsafe, they can fail at any time.