The number of drivers successfully prosecuted by courts in England and Wales for driving on defective tyres has risen by 14 per cent to more than 4,300 convictions. The information – which relates to 2008 – has been released by the Ministry of Justice in response to a parliamentary question by Stoke-on-Trent MP, Tristram Hunt. The figure is a seven-year high, up from a low of 3,595 convictions in 2006.

‘Many drivers have the misconception that the police are too busy or too stretched to stop and prosecute them for driving on illegal tyres,’ according to Stuart Jackson, chairman of TyreSafe. ‘These latest figures show this is clearly not the case.’

Current UK law requires car drivers to have a minimum of 1.6mm of tread depth across the central three quarters of the tyre, around its entire circumference. Drivers who fail to comply with the regulations face a fine of up to £2,500 and three penalty points for each illegal tyre.