Good fleet managers are getting a grip on safety, with tyre condition a priority for most, according to ATS Euromaster, which is reporting that spot checks by its technicians are finding 94% in good condition.
The checks, carried out on more than 300 vehicles parked at the FTA's (Freight Transport Association( Van Excellence events in 2013, recorded the tread depth and overall tyre condition. Vehicles were then issued with traffic light-style cards.
More than nine out of 10 got the green light, signifying more than 2mm of remaining tread on each tyre. Five per cent received 'amber' warnings for tread depth on at least one tyre of 2mm or below. Just 1% were below the 1.6mm limit and were issued with a red card.
"These results were much better than we would typically expect if we visited a fleet at random, where we weren't carrying out routine safety checks," says Peter Fairlie, ATS Euromaster's group sales director.
"It suggests that fleet managers take tyre condition seriously, and that members of the FTA's Van Excellence programme are, on the whole, more tuned into vehicle safety issues."
ATS carries out routine tyre safety inspections for many of its business customers. These can be performed on site, or at one of ATS's 350 UK centres.
