Tyre Survey Reveals Safety Problem

MEDIACOM-RELEASE-THE POLICE

New Zealand motorists have yet to take on board the message that tyres in good condition are critical to road safety.

The "Going Bald Can Kill" tyre check campaign conducted by Police during April and May this year revealed one in 10 vehicles had one or more illegal tyres.

In the latest campaign, tyres on 20,660 vehicles were checked, with 18,768 vehicles riding on safe tyres and 1892, or one in 10 failing.

These results show an improvement on the October 1998 survey in which one in seven vehicles were found to have one or more illegal tyres. During the 1998 survey just over 15,000 vehicles were checked.

Superintendent Neil Gyde, Traffic Operations Support, says that while these results show an improvement on the last tyre check survey, there is still a long way to go before motorists consider good tire condition a vital road safety feature.

"With winter now truly upon us, tyres must be in good condition with correct tread depth and inflation pressure, and that's the responsibility of the driver.

During April and May, Police, with technical assistance from tyre industry representatives, conducted random roadside tyre checkpoints as part of the scheduled 1999 road safety initiatives.

Drivers were also presented with information pamphlets providing tips on tyre care.

ENDS....

MEDIA RELEASE FROM THE POLICE

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