Tyres

The recent storms are a good reminder. One minute it’s fine the next we are in a downpour or worse!

Changing weather patterns impact on drivers and journeys reminding us that our vehicles need to be fit for the road with adequate tread depth to cope with surface water or worse. New tyres have tread patterns that will pump up to 9 litres of water a second, older worn tyres will be much less! This performance can affect safety if drivers don’t slowdown in wet conditions.

If a vehicle is going too fast it will aquaplane resulting in loss of steering and control, outcomes can vary but avoiding this is relatively easy, slowing down, driving to the conditions by being aware of how good your tyres are.

Almost every course we run we come across underinflated tyres and near bald tyres, drivers need to take more responsibility but so do employers need to help. If staff are unsure of the correct tyre pressures, then check this online tool. Or make them aware of what are correct pressures for their vehicles.

https://www.energywise.govt.nz/tools/tyre-pressure/

We explain the basics of vehicle tyre maintenance on our Level 1 course, and the reasons why it is so important. It’s not what every driver wants to hear, but it is what every driver needs to know!