A team of firefighters are taking over Swinford Toll Bridge in Eynsham to highlight to drivers the importance of checking their tyres after government figures reveal that 164 people have lost their lives over the last five years due to the condition of their tyres.

Oxfordshire County Council's Fire and Rescue Service will be explaining a simple way of checking the roadworthiness of tyres using a 20p, while also collecting money for The Fire Fighters Charity.

Crews from Eynsham Fire Station along with the service's Road Safety Team will be at Swinford Toll Bridge all day on Monday 4th June from 7am.

During the takeover, the bridge will be decorated in balloons and banners highlighting TyreSafe, the 20p Test Road Safety Campaign and The Fire Fighters Charity. Flyers and leaflets will be given to motorists and firefighters will be on hand to explain the simple 20p test.

The 20p test 

Jon Hardy, Retained Support Officer for Oxfordshire County Council's Fire and Rescue Service, said: "I was personally shocked by the latest figures from the Department of Transport that show over the last five years, 164 fatalities occurred due to illegal, defective and under inflated tyres on UK roads.

"Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and our Road Safety Team are committed to reducing road traffic collisions and during the Toll Bridge Takeover will be highlighting to drivers the importance of checking the condition of their tyres. If all drivers took a few minutes every month to check their tyre pressures, condition and tread depth it would help prevent this needless loss of life.

"We want to promote to everyone the 20p Test. Drivers insert a 20p coin into the main tread grooves of their cars' tyres and if the outer rim of the coin is covered by the tread this indicates sufficient tread depth to be safe and legal. If the outer rim of the coin is visible drivers should have their tyres checked by a qualified professional. To find out more please come over Swinford Toll Bridge on Monday 4th June, support The Fire Fighters Charity and learn how 20p could save your life."

Councillor Judith Heathcoat, Oxfordshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Safer and Stronger Communities, added: "The 20p test is a really easy way to check the safety of your tyres, which in turn, could prevent an accident by allowing you to stop quicker in an emergency. It is important to look after your car to help protect yourself and others around you."

This advice is part of 365 Alive campaign, for more information you can visit the website, or if you have a road safety question, call the free phone community safety helpline on 08000 325 999 or email: community.safety@oxfordshire.gov.uk 

Posted June 1st, 2012 at 1430 by Andrew. Comment by emailing: andrew.lynch@pavpub.com