Trial scheme checks motorhome tyres as you travel

Trial scheme checks tyres as you travel

UK firm WheelRight, in conjunction with the Highways Agency, is piloting a drive-over system that takes the effort out of the tiresome process of tyre pressure checks and could bring huge safety benefits too.

The pilot, which is being organised in partnership with the Highways Agency and Welcome Break services, will provide a unique insight into the state of the nation's tyres, while providing motorhome, car and HGV drivers with a quick and easy way of checking their vehicles' tyres.

Currently, the UK sees approximately 25 deaths and nearly 1,500 serious accidents every year attributed to poorly inflated or defective tyres. The ability to easily measure tyre pressures remotely and within seconds could be the nudge drivers need to undertake potentially life-saving checks more often.

The three-month pilot scheme of WheelRight's award-winning tyre pressure monitoring system began on 25 March. It is the first time the UK-developed technology will be publicly available for use by both motorhome/car and HGV drivers.
Two WheelRight systems have been installed at Keele Services on the M6 Southbound. One is in the HGV area and the other is for private motorists which is the one motorhome drivers are to use. A team from WheelRight and the Highways Agency will be available to answer driver's questions regarding the importance of maintaining correct tyre pressures and how to use the system. To get their free tyre-pressure readings, motorists just need to drive over the embedded WheelRight instrument.

Their results are available automatically in seconds either on a touch screen or paper print-out. Should tyres require immediate attention; drivers will be able to use the nearby air compressors at Keele Services.

You can see a video of the process here:




The importance of correctly inflated tyres should not be underestimated. Police forces across the country recently found that a staggering 86% of cars involved in accidents had at least one incorrectly inflated tyre.

Alongside the obvious safety issues, poor inflation can also drain drivers' wallets. Fuel costs have been shown to increase by up to 5% if tyres are just 20% below their recommended pressure. Underinflated tyres also wear out 25% faster compared to their properly inflated counterparts.

John Catling, WheelRight's chief executive, said: "The Highways Agency have identified tyre pressure under-inflation as a major cause of accidents on the UK's roads. We are delighted to be partnering with them to deliver automatic, free tyre-pressure checks for commercial and private drivers at Keele. The simplicity, ease, convenience and speed of the WheelRight system will encourage drivers to check their tyre pressure's more regularly, without the need to get out of the vehicle."

Although this is a pilot scheme, lasting three months, WheelRight is hopeful that once the data collected has been analysed, the Highways Agency will commission further installations around the country.

To find out more, please email [email protected]. WheelRight can also be found on Twitter @WheelRight_Tech.


More Motorhome pages:

New and used Motorhomes for Sale                   Motorhome Reviews                       Motorhome Manufacturer Guides

To get the latest Motorhome news, reviews and offers direct to your inbox, sign up for free here!

News