EACH year tyre-related incidents result in thousands of casualties and cost the economy tens of millions of pounds.

Motorists could help dramatically reduce the number of incidents and costs by carrying out regular monthly safety checks says TyreSafe, a not-for--profit organisation that raises tyre safety awareness.

The total number of casualties resulting from tyre-related incidents during the last five reported years is 5,677 of which 989 people were killed or seriously injured, annually averaging 1135 and 198 respectively.

Where casualties arise from an accident caused by a vehicle defect, tyres are the single largest contributory factor over the last five reported years, accounting for 36 per cent of the total.

The estimated cost of tyre-related incidents to the economy during the last five reported years is £416 million, averaging £83.2 million annually.

A total of 2.2 million cars fail the MoT due to tyre-related defects each year. Motorists could help dramatically reduce the number of incidents and costs by carrying out regular monthly safety checks.

Over the past three years there have been more than 15,000 convictions for tyre-related offences.

TyreSafe’s survey in partnership with Highways England revealed potentially up to 10 million, or more than one-in-four cars and vans on Britain’s roads, was driven with an illegal and dangerous tyre in 2015.

The minimum legal tread depth is 1.6mm, the maximum penalty for driving with a tyre below that is three penalty points and a fine of up to £2,500 – for each tyre.

TyreSafe’s “20p test” provides motorists with a quick check to see how close their tyres are to that limit.

Place a 20p coin into the main tread grooves at three points across the tyre and then repeat around its circumference.

If the outer band is visible, the tyres may be unsafe or illegal and need to be checked by a tyre professional.