UK motorists urged to use 20p coin to check tyre tread

Motorists in the UK can use a 20p coin to check tyre tread depth and avoid significant penalties. Drivers caught with tyres below the legal 1.6mm limit face fines of up to £2,500 and up to 12 penalty points, which can lead to driving bans. The edge of a 20p coin is slightly larger than the legal limit, making it an effective tool for a quick safety check.

A poll of 2,000 motorists conducted during Tyre Safety Month indicates a lack of awareness regarding this method and the associated penalties. Approximately 38% of motorists were unaware of the coin trick, a figure that rises to 59% among younger drivers. Additionally, 30% of respondents were unaware of the potential fines, and 48% reported not having coins available in their vehicles to perform the check.

In response, Halfords has partnered with comedian Judi Love to promote the safety measure through informative videos and the release of limited-edition 20p keychains to encourage drivers to keep a coin handy.