High number of road accidents during the winter underlines the need for cold weather tyres

Over 6000 road accidents took place in Britain during last winter and ice and snow were believed to be the main culprits. This was revealed by the latest data released by the Department for Transport.

These statistics clearly reveal that the motorists experiencing accidents during the winter were the unfortunate ones as they were helpless against extremely difficult weather conditions. Roads covered with ice and snow was cited as the biggest reason for 5070 road accidents.

It was not just cars but also light goods vehicles (324) that met with accidents during the winter. These vehicles caused havoc as they were involved in the transportation of supplies to businesses.

As the temperatures have started to drop and the winter approaches, ATS Euromaster has been issuing reminders and warnings to vehicle owners to get their vehicles ready to face the rough weather ahead.

Peter Fairlie, ATS Euromaster’s Group Sales Director, says: “Don’t wait until your light commercial vehicles become stranded and can’t make deliveries, or one of your company cars slides out of control and causes an accident.

“Fitting cold weather tyres is a straightforward and cost-effective way to help your fleet not only stay safer when the temperatures plummet, but mobile too.

“The DfT statistics prove how dangerous UK roads can be during winter. It’s little wonder we’ve continued to see an uptake in Fleet Managers equipping cars and vans with cold weather tyres.”

Issued as part of the DfT’s Road Accidents and Safety Annual Report 2012, the statistics also revealed skidding to be the most common form of accident for car and van drivers on ice and snow covered roads, with 2,198 combined cases last year alone.

Cold weather tyres offer greatly improved grip, handling, cornering and reduced braking distances when temperatures drop below seven degrees Celsius – at which point the performance of ‘summer’ tyres deteriorates as the rubber becomes harder and less ‘elastic’. As a result, summer tyres suffer from reduced grip and braking ability, and deliver a less comfortable ride.

ATS Euromaster expects its sales of budget, mid-range and premium cold weather tyres to exceed £10million in 2013, as the popularity of seasonal fitments continues to grow. The company has already stockpiled tens of thousands of the specialist tyres in centres nationwide to meet demand.

Of the 6,217 reported accidents in Great Britain last year which were attributed to snow and ice, 186 involved pedal bikes, 336 motorcycles, 5,070 cars, 324 light goods vehicles, 149 HGVs, 75 buses and coaches and 77 other vehicles.