Drivers are being warned to make sure their tyres are correctly inflated as they hit the road for the Christmas getaway.
Charity TyreSafe says that, with many motorists’ cars carrying unusually heavy loads as they make trips packed with passengers and presents, tyre pressures should be checked.
Manufacturers typically providing two pressures, one of which is specifically for when the vehicle is fully laden. Drivers with full vehicles are advised to make sure that this is the pressure to which their tyres are inflated.
Motorists are also advised to ensure that their tyres comply with the minimum legal tread depth limit of 1.6mm, and are not affected by other issues such as cuts or embedded objects.
Stuart Jackson, chairman of TyreSafe, said: “Journeys during the Christmas period can be enjoyable but unexpected delays ruin the fun.
“There’s not much any of us can do about traffic congestion but we can reduce the risk of interruptions due to poor maintenance of the vehicle, especially tyres. These straightforward, routine checks not only reduce your risks on the road, they save you money and make the need to call a breakdown recovery service less likely.”