ALERT: Gardaí in crash risk warning as they stop lorry with dangerously worn tyres
Gardaí emphasise the dangers of driving with damaged tyres on social media amid dangerous driving conditions and icy roads
Gardaí have issued a warning over the dangers of driving with worn tyres as they shared a picture of a truck stopped in Co Louth recently.
The lorry was pulled in Drogheda recently by an Garda Siochana who noticed the wheels on the vehicle were dangerously worn-down.
Their post with the picture of the threadbare tyres added: "When the treads start looking this rough, you run the risk of blowing a tyre at any time. That's not a risk worth taking."
According to the Road Safety Authority [RSA], the dangers of driving with incorrect or poor quality tyres include less control of your vehicle, increased braking distance, tyres losing grip on roads in wet conditions and the high risk of blow-outs.
"Based on our analysis of road traffic collision reports we estimate that defective tyres could be a contributory factor in as many as one in ten fatal collisions annually, resulting in approximately 14 deaths each year," according to an Garda Siochana.
There are over 50 different fixed charge penalty notices for various offences relating to tyres.
"They all carry a fine of €80 and 2 penalty points. If you are convicted of the offence of driving with dangerous tyres, you could be fined up to €5000, or receive a 3 month prison sentence, or both. You will also have 5 penalty points on your licence upon conviction," according to an Garda Siochana.