The RAC is advising UK drivers to make sure they check their tyres regularly to avoid problems.
Having asked drivers about tyres it seems that a number of them are unaware of legal requirements regarding tread and also the general condition of the tyre. The RAC survey found 45 percent of drivers did not know that the minimum tread depth of a tyre is 1.6 mm. For female drivers this went up to 60 percent being unaware of the figure.
Tyres can be forgotten about quite easily but they are very important for road safety, general performance and also fuel economy. The RAC would like drivers to check their tyre condition and pressures at least weekly to avoid having a problem on the road.
Research from AA Insurance has found that around 22 percent of people in the UK are intending to take a holiday in Britain this year in order to cut down their costs of travel.
It appears that the rising costs in all aspects of travel are making people think about alternatives to try and reduce their expenditure. This has also driven more people to look at smaller vehicles to save money that way. There can also be insurance benefits in this, as well as better fuel economy said an AA Insurance representative.
As with all things the key is to find something that is suitable, so making sure there is enough room for people, that the engine can deliver the performance needed for regular long journeys and so on. AA Insurance see claims for all sorts of issues relating to unsuitable vehicles, so ensuring it is fit for the job it will have to do is paramount.
The RAC are trying to get the message across that as well as buying travel insurance prior to a holiday so car insurance should not be overlooked.
As more Britons travel into Europe and beyond in their cars and on their bikes, so the need for adequate insurance has never been greater. If an accident does occur then car insurance, from the RAC or another provider, will ensure there are people on the end of the phone who are trained to deal with situations. Where there are potential language difficulties then these experts are all the more valuable.
There can also be significant costs involved with accidents abroad, so once again adequate car insurance, like the RAC recommends, is a must. The RAC are best known for their recovery services, and the fact that their European Recovery operation saw a ten percent increase in demand last year underlines the need for sufficient protection when abroad.
