TyreSafe, the not-for-profit tyre safety awareness organisation, is reminding drivers to check their tyres – including pressures – before they set off on long journeys.


Driving with under inflated tyres makes it more difficult to control a vehicle, increases the distance it will take to stop and leaves it more vulnerable to a puncture or rapid deflation.

Tyres will also wear more rapidly and, because of the extra effort it takes to turn the wheels, increase the amount of fuel used by the vehicle, adding to holiday costs.

Vehicle manufacturers typically provide two recommended pressures – one for normal use with just one or two passengers and another, higher inflation pressure, for use when fully laden. The increase in pressure is important to ensure the correct amount of the tyre’s tread is in contact with the road.

However, research proves a substantial proportion of motorists are routinely driving with tyres at dangerously low air pressures and do not adjust them when carrying all the family and their belongings.

The combination of unusually high weight which comes with these holiday trips along with under inflated tyres dramatically increases the risks of suffering an incident.