Maintenance a priority, safe to say
Plenty has been said about the benefits of advanced driving throughout the Press and Journal’s Young Driver of the Year campaign, but this week, Caroline Brodie finds out how keeping your car in tiptop condition could help save a life
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IT’S hard to imagine that tasks as mundane as cleaning a dirty window or filling your car with screen wash could ultimately save your life, but dozens of factors contribute towards the plethora of death on our roads.
Regularly maintaining your vehicle could help reduce the chances of it happening to you.
Allan Stewart, Seat and Skoda after-sales manager at Specialist Cars Seat, which is working in partnership with the Press and Journal in its Young Driver of the Year campaign, said it was vital to keep vehicles properly serviced and maintained.
“As drivers, we must remember that we are ultimately responsible for the roadworthiness of any vehicle we drive,” he said.
“That means checking all the key safety points on a regular basis and ensuring that the car is properly serviced and maintained.”
Mr Stewart said, although any major work should be carried out by qualified mechanics, every motorist should also be carrying out regular checks, including checking tyres and lights are in good working condition and that visibility from the vehicle is not in any way impaired.
He urged readers to check their tyres for defects at least once a week, saying: “It’s a sobering thought that just four relatively small patches of rubber are all that lie between us and disaster.
“Any deterioration in performance can be critical. That’s why the fines are so severe. You can face up to £2,500, plus three penalty points, per tyre if you break the law. So it is perfectly possible to lose your licence at one stroke just because of your tyres.”
The law states that tyres should have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm across 75% of the tread, but performance will deteriorate before you reach that limit.
Mr Stewart advised drivers not to risk their safety or that of others by waiting until the last minute to change their tyres.
He also highlighted the importance of checking tyre pressures, saying: “This is not just a safety issue. In addition to the danger of structural damage and compromising your car’s handling characteristics, low tyre pressures will hit you in the pocket through higher fuel consumption.
“I’m sure many of us cringe when we see drivers parking by charging over the kerb. If they really knew what they were doing, would they nonchalantly drive down a motorway at 70mph immediately afterwards?”
“Quite apart from the danger of damage to steering or suspension components, just think what this subjects your tyres to.”
When inspecting tyres, he advised drivers to look for any cuts or blisters in the treads or sidewalls and to seek advice from a tyre expert immediately regarding any faults.
Sergeant Neil Morrison, of Grampian Police’s road safety unit, agreed that vehicle maintenance was a vital part of being a motorist.
He said: “Owning and driving a safe and road-legal vehicle is vitally important for your safety and the safety of others.
“Unfortunately, the simplest steps, like switching on your headlights in rain or reduced visibility, are all too often forgotten by many road users.”
“Taking the time to carry out these simple checks could ultimately make the difference that could save your life.”
Mr Stewart said recent Government statistics showed that almost a third of all car accidents are caused simply by drivers not looking properly.
He added: “Anything that helps you to see, or others to see you, has to be vitally important.
“As we enjoy brighter mornings and evenings, it is easy to forget the importance of lights. Your legally required lights must be in working condition at all times.”
Mr Stewart advised motorists to regularly walk round and check lights, including brake lights – with the help of a friend or against a reflective surface like a window.
He also highlighted the importance of keeping the windscreen and windows clean.
“Dirty or obscured windows, or damaged mirrors, make it difficult for us to look properly,” he said.
“If you are peering out through a foggy film on the inside of the glass, your windows are long overdue for a spring clean.”
He said using anything from a proper car glass cleaner to a little soap or detergent would do the job, and also warned people to keep stickers and mascots to a minimum as they could also reduce vision.
Mr Stewart said even something as straightforward as changing the windscreen wipers could have a big impact on visibility.
He said a sure sign that wipers – which should be changed annually – were long overdue for a change was a windscreen going smeary in the rain.
By law, windscreen washers also need to be in working order – unless you drive a classic car which is exempt.
Mr Stewart said keeping washers topped up should be on the list of regular checks, using an appropriate screen wash to help cut through grease and grime, and de-icing screen wash in the winter.
He added: “These regular safety checks are not just a matter of keeping on the right side of the law. Good drivers take a pride in maintaining their car in good condition. That way, they can focus all their attention on the vital skills of driving.”
