By Victoria Brenan

Last updated at 11:30, Thursday, 27 September 2012

Cumbria police will be doing stop checks on tyres next month as part of their Tyre Safety month-long campaign.

They said dozens of people are killed every year in the UK because of illegal, defective or under-inflated tyres, and drivers can do a simple check with a 20p coin to check tread depth.

PC Shaun McKeown, a forensic vehicle examiner with Cumbria Constabulary’s Collision Investigation Unit, said: “All too often in Cumbria we hear about people’s lives being ruined by serious road traffic collisions.

“This is even more devastating when we investigate them and it becomes apparent that it was caused by something as avoidable as a defective tyre.

“We will be out and about conducting stop checks across Cumbria to educate drivers about the risks. Those found to be driving on illegal tyres face a maximum penalty of three points per tyre on their licence and a fine of up to £2,500 per tyre.”

He added: “It is simple to check your tyre tread. Just insert a 20p coin in the tread and if it you can see any of the rim around the edge then you need to be getting your tyres checked.

“If you do the test and are not sure, visit your local garage, as the vast majority will inspect your tyres for free.”

First published at 11:26, Thursday, 27 September 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk