Driving in and around Yorkshire poses certain problems that you won’t necessarily find in other parts of the country. The A682 in North Yorkshire, for example, sees many more fatalities than the average in the UK. It is one of the toughest roads to drive in England even if the weather is relatively good on this trans-Pennine route. There again, the A6135 in South Yorkshire is often equally as problematic. Driving certain sections of it can be dangerous in wet weather. There are frequent incidents and crashes near Hoyland Common.
The A645 near Wakefield also sees plenty of road incidents. These often feature horses, cyclists and pedestrians with accidents that are caused by other road users not being able to brake or steer effectively enough. That’s why keeping your tyres in good condition is essential, especially in Yorkshire where exposed rural roads – even when they’re A-roads – are harder to drive on than others. To buy tyres in Castleford, for instance, just visit Reg Greenwood’s website – enter your vehicle registration or tyre size and choose your preferred tyre. Why put off having new tyres fitted which could save your life or that of other road users?
In the meantime, one of the best things you can do to preserve the life of your current set of tyres is to pump them up regularly. When car tyres are even partially flat, they don’t grip as well. Not only does this cause you to burn more fuel per mile than is necessary, it means you won’t be able to stop as quickly on some of Yorkshire’s more notorious routes.
Tyre technicians also often advise having your tracking checked. When wheels are not aligned correctly, they cause excess wear to either the right or left set of tyres. This can also mean that you are not able to swerve as quickly as you would like if you happen to come across an obstacle in the road, such as a pothole or debris. Given how many roads in the county have hairpin bends, especially in locations on higher ground, being able to steer properly without your car lurching to one side is essential for road safety.
Finally, you should check the sidewalls of your tyres every couple of weeks for bulges and what look like gouge marks. If you see these signs, then it means that the compounds the rubber is made from are pulling apart from one another. This is dangerous and could result in a blowout at any minute, even in city centre slow-moving traffic in Sheffield, Leeds or Halifax, for example. Change them without delay because you could be prosecuted for driving an unroadworthy vehicle if the police spot them in this sort of condition.
