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More than 20% of vehicles in the island have tyres that need replacing, according to new road safety findings.
The findings emerged from a two-day road safety event held at Les Jardins and Patriotic car parks in October, and have been recently published in a report.
The initiative – organised by the Government along with TyreSafe, Translogik, Driving & Vehicle Standards, and TAF Tyres – provided free tyre inspections to parked vehicles and drivers who stopped by.
CLICK TO ENLARGE: The key findings from the road safety initiative.
The inspections revealed several common issues – including cracked tyres, mismatched brands on the same axle, punctures caused by nails, and worn tread or shoulders.
Following the checks, DVS contacted the owners of vehicles with unfit tyres to ensure replacements were made immediately.
A report on the findings said that many drivers lacked awareness of tyre maintenance, with several admitting they did not know how or when to check their tyres.
It read: “Based on the data gathered from the event, it is clear that a significant proportion of the island’s drivers need to be more mindful of their vehicle’s tyre condition.
“With 21% of tyres found to be in need of replacement and 27% borderline, common issues have been identified above, along with the associated risks.”
The data collected during the event will be used to support future tyre safety initiatives and inform Jersey’s Collision & Casualty Reduction Plan.
Drivers were encouraged to check tyre pressure regularly, ideally monthly or before long journeys.
Tools for this are available at local garages, and staff are often on hand to assist.
Inspections for visible damage such as bulges, cuts, or lodged debris were also advised, along with the timely removal of any foreign objects to prevent further damage.
The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre.
Drivers can check this by inserting a 20p coin into the tread grooves – if the coin’s outer band is visible, the tyre may need replacing.
Free tyre checks to be offered as part of safety initiative
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