Crain News Service report
COLCHESTER, England (Oct. 14, 2013) — The TyreSafe agency is highlighting "alarming" new statistics from the United Kingdom Ministry of Justice which indicates that, on average, more than 170 motorists were convicted at magistrates' courts in England and Wales every week in 2012 for driving on defective tires.
In total, some 10,228 car owners found themselves in court because their tires were in a dangerous or defective condition, with 8,919 successful prosecutions taking place.
"These latest figures are incredibly worrying and reflect the ongoing challenge that we have in terms of raising the awareness about the importance of driving on safe and legal tires," said Stuart Jackson, chairman of TyreSafe.
"Regular checks, which only take a few minutes, should be made at least once a month, yet it's clear from these latest figures that many drivers are simply not taking these precautions, risking not only prosecution, but more importantly, their safety on the road."
"October's tire safety month is a great opportunity for every driver across the UK to ensure that not only are their tires safe, but they are also legal, therefore avoiding any potential court appearance," Mr. Jackson added.
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This report appeared on the website of European Rubber Journal, a UK-based sister publication of Tire Business.