My school run here in Thatcham is a little longer than it was back in Tilehurst. I’m not complaining as I enjoy chatting to my children on the way to their respective schools, and of course, that feeling of walking back alone - child-free, and no longer humping around rucksacks, lunch boxes and book bags.

Yet our school run is often marred by bad drivers in suspect cars. When I say “suspect”, I mean cars that appear to be in dire need of an MOT, that appear to be racing my child to school at obscene speeds. I’ve witnessed some seriously shocking driving, and some inconsiderate parking to boot. Everything, from flagrantly disregarding the law when it comes to smoking in cars with children, to blaring music, to bellowing exhausts. Although I’m still waiting to take my test, I’ve promised myself I won’t be one of these drivers. There is no more precious cargo than my two urchins, and careless drivers scare me.

I’ve written about the importance of regular car servicing before, and how to entertain your children so your attention can be firmly fixed on the road, but today I wanted to really zero in on tyre care; why it’s important, and why you should consider going to a professional tyre and car service dealer.

The fact is, as unglam a subject as it is, tyre safety is an important part of keeping your car roadworthy. If your tyres aren’t kept in good condition, then you could be on the receiving end of a fine from the authorities, or worse, increase your chances of being involved in an accident.

So just what do you need to be aware of when assessing your tyres?

Tyre tread

It sounds so obvious, but tread depth will diminish over time: Tyre tread helps you to brake more rapidly (and so) is a crucial part of tyre safety. With a lower tread depth, you simply achieve less traction and cannot swerve or stop as quickly.

In fact, it’s so important to check your tyre treads, there is accompanying legislation to ensure you do so. You are legally obliged to keep treads within the legal limits (1.6mm) so you’re in the best possible position to undertake journeys safely. A quick visual check should tell you if you are within the limits, and we’ve all heard of the 20p trick, but if you are ever unsure visit a specialist tyre retailer such as Point S for professional advice.

Tyre age

How frequently you need to replace your tyres depends on a number of factors, not least the number of miles you’re clocking up, and the surfaces on which you’re driving. To prolong the life of your tyres you’ll need to regularly check the tyre pressure, as over or under inflated tyres will wear unevenly. Uneven tyre wear will ultimately affect a car’s tracking and will result in you having to replace your tyres more frequently. Don’t continue using worn out tyres & get car tyres online from places such as Point S.

Although replacement tyres must be compatible with your model of car by law, it is perfectly legal to drive around with different products from several tyre manufacturers - you can even buy part worn tyres from reputable tyre retailers to keep costs down. You might also want to consider nitrogen inflation and regular wheel alignment and balancing checks to ensure your tyres remain in the best possible condition and last longer in between replacements.

Worn and cracked tyres

Finding a nail of screw in a tyre is an all too common occurrence. Although you might think your tyre is relatively new, and there’s no obvious puncture, it is always better to seek a second opinion before attempting any kind of DIY job. Similarly, balding tyres are far more likely to see you skid out of control in wet driving conditions. It really isn’t worth the risk to put off a quick trip to your local garage or specialist.

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In short, it is easy to keep up the maintenance of your tyres. It might seem like an unnecessary faff, but it could just save you, and your passenger’s, lives. Craig and I are religiously checking our vehicle’s tyres, and it’s testament to this that we’ve never had an accident. If your children are regular occupants in your car, your ability to brake hard and fast is paramount, particularly when driving in built up areas with lots of pedestrians (e.g. near a school). It’s just common sense to get it sorted.