Make sure you are road-ready for the winter

Officers from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Road Policing Unit are encouraging people to perform simple vehicle maintenance checks, such as making sure the tread depth on tyres is above the 1.6mm limit, to help avoid being involved in a collision.

Other things to check include lights, breaks, windscreen wipers, screen wash and the vehicle’s battery.

The campaign coincides with national Tyre Safety Month. This year TyreSafe conducted the UK’s largest survey of tread depths at the point of replacement. The results showed that more than a quarter of motorists - 27 per cent - replaced their tyres when they were already illegal. In addition to safety concerns, this could result in a fine and up to three penalty points for each illegal tyre.

Officers will be conducting an increased number of vehicle checks throughout the month. They will also be targeting drivers of overloaded vehicles.

The darker evenings mean it is essential that vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians wear high visibility clothing and bicycles must be fitted with lights. It is an offence to use a bicycle in dark conditions without lights.

Inspector Mark Rogers said: “With the clocks going back this month it is vital that people make sure their vehicle is ready for winter. A few simple checks could save your life and the lives of others.

“If you’re unsure about the condition of your vehicle and if it is ready for the colder weather, then book it in for a winter service.

“With less light in the evenings we are also reminding cyclists to make sure they are visible to other road users. This includes using lights on their bicycle and wearing high visibility clothing.”