How a 20p piece could save drivers thousands in fines

Road safety chiefs are urging motorists to check their tyre tread depths once a month using the coin - boosting safety and preventing fines totalling thousands of pounds.

The legal minimum tread depth for cars in the UK is 1.6mm throughout a continuous band comprising the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tread and around its entire outer circumference.

For each tyre that is below the legal limit, motorists can be fined up to £2,500 and have three points added to their licence.

A simple maintenance job of checking tyre depth can make the roads safer as well as making tyres last longer, reducing fuel bills and cutting carbon emissions.

The advice comes during Tyre Safety Month.

For more information about tyre safety, click here