Road Safety Awareness Event
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In a very interactive session, from Continental Sime Tyre shared many useful tips to understand the role tyres play in vehicle & road safety. Some of the key messages were:- Tyre pressure contributes to fuel economy, braking distances and tyre wear and tear. The rule of thumb tyre pressure for passenger cars is between 28 to 32 kpa, depending on payload. It is best however, to check your car manual for the manufacturer's recommendation.
- Aquaplanning : when a layer of water builds between the tyres of the vehicle and the road surface, leading to the loss of traction, thus preventing the vehicle from responding to steering, braking or accelerating. The likelihood of hydroplanning increases with the speed of the vehicle and the depth of the water. Tread wear and under inflation also increase the risk for hydroplanning, as do wider tyres.
- In short, do not speed when its raining or the road is wet. Even top of the line tyres have thier limits. Be a smart driver.
- Kerbing : should you kerb your tyres, have them checked to ensure that the sidewalls are not damaged. Damaged sidewalls are a safety risk.
- TWI : Most tyres have a Tread Wear Indicator (TWI). The TWI is moulded into the grooves of the tyre. When these become flush with the tops of the remaining tread, the tyre is at the legal limit safety and must be replaced.
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