MOTORISTS could be putting their lives in danger during the cold snap by not checking their tyres.

Millions of drivers could be unwittingly endangering lives by driving on bald tyres.

Huddersfield-based road safety charity Brake says up to 68 per cent of motorists do not know the legal minimum tyre tread depth for their vehicle.

They are also unaware of the dangers it creates to themselves and other road users.

Jools Townsend, head of education at Brake, said: “Many drivers are too reliant on their annual MOT and service and unaware of the deterioration that occurs to their vehicle over the course of a year.

“Tyre tread is such an easy thing to check, yet failure to do so puts drivers, passengers and other road users in danger of death or injury.

“We are calling on drivers to be vigilant about the condition of their tyres and check them on a weekly basis this winter.”

Brake wants the government to increase investment in traffic policing and give police the powers to carry out random vehicle safety checks.

They also want to raise awareness of the policy among road users after figures show two in every three drivers are unaware of the legal tread depth requirement, which is 1.6mm for cars and vans, although anything less that 3mm could be dangerous in wet or icy conditions.

Brake is highlighting the importance of having safe tyres, saying the tread of the tyre is essential in helping drivers brake, steer and accelerate.

It is important at this time of year when the roads become wet or icy, posing a risk to motorists stopping or accelerating.

Abi Clark, spokesperson for Green Flag, added: “If motorists fail to take this advice, they could be putting themselves and others at risk from crashes.”

Drivers can check their tread depth by looking at the indicator bars on their tyres.