With the festive period now over, many drivers will be returning to their daily commute, or school runs, with another year of motoring ahead.
However, many may find that unknown issues have developed in the intervening period, with breakdowns and tyre safety issues prevalent. The weather has recently taken a turn, with 2026 starting much colder than 2025 ended. Some problems that drivers may have ignored could potentially be more dangerous in winter climes.
The AA is urging drivers to check tyres, with data showing that thousands of avoidable breakdowns occur during this period, which is one of the busiest of the year for its patrols.
Between Boxing Day and 6 January last year, AA patrols attended more than 14,000 tyre-related problems, many of which could have been prevented with a few simple checks over the holiday period.
The AA is also reminding drivers that even if they do not plan to use their vehicle, a noticeable drop in tyre pressure while the vehicle is parked should not be ignored. A slow puncture or damaged tyre could fail without warning when the car is suddenly needed in an emergency.
“Tyres are your vehicles’ only contact with the road,” commented Tony Rich, AA head of road safety. “After sitting idle over Christmas, they can lose pressure or develop cracks, particularly if the outside temperature drops. A five-minute tyre safety check now could save you from a dangerous blowout or a costly callout.
“Even if you’re not planning to drive, a tyre that’s losing pressure should be fixed straight away, you never know when you might urgently need your car.”
Winter tyre safety message
The need to promote tyre safety, especially at this time of the year, is more vital than ever. With an increase in the number of vehicles that have failed their MOT due to tyre defects, according to data from Tyresafe, it is more likely than ever that drivers are ignoring the basics when it comes to road safety.
Since the Christmas holidays started, the UK has experienced its first cold snap of the winter. Temperatures are falling into the minus figures across the country, having almost been consistently in double-digits towards the end of December.
This means more chances of icy conditions on roads, alongside an increase in potholes and other road imperfections. Tyre safety issues, including reduced tyre tread, or under-inflated tyres, can therefore lead to vehicle damage, or worse.
The AA, and Tyresafe, recommend at least a 3mm tread depth in winter to improve grip. While the legal requirement is 1.6mm, this is a risky level for a tyre to be at around this time of the year.
Additionally, tyres over six-years old can start to crack internally, and externally. This could prove to be an issue should a vehicle hit a pothole. Road users should be aware of tyre age, and if not, this is also something that workshops can advise on.
Tyresafe issues warning
TyreSafe, the UK’s tyre safety charity, is echoing the AA’s warning as part of its ‘Home Safely for Winter’ campaign.
Stuart Lovatt, TyreSafe Chair, stated: “When conditions are at their worst, tyre safety becomes even more important. We urge drivers to ACT, check Air pressure, Condition and Tread.
It’s a small step that could mean the difference between arriving safely and facing a roadside emergency.”
TyreSafe estimates that more than six million tyres in the UK have illegal tread each year, putting millions of road users at risk.
