Recent independent research commissioned by Green Flag Motoring Assistance has revealed that nearly half of Britains motorists dont know how to change a tyre.
(PRWEB) July, 2003 -- Recent independent research commissioned by Green Flag Motoring Assistance has revealed that nearly half of Britains motorists dont know how to change a tyre. In an online survey of more than 2,200 motorists, 45 per cent of respondents admitted that they didnt have the necessary skills.
Green Flag spokesman Nigel Charlesworth said: The results demonstrate a gap in motorists knowledge which highlights the importance of adequate breakdown cover, as many motorists wouldnt know how to help themselves in a common breakdown situation such as a flat tyre."
The research, conducted in March 2003, revealed more women than men were willing to admit to their lack of knowledge in this area, with two-thirds of women claiming they couldnt change a tyre, compared with just over one-in-ten men.
Results also suggested that older drivers appear to be more independent than their younger counterparts, with nearly 60 per cent of 45-54 year olds saying they could change a tyre themselves, compared to only 47 per cent of 16-24 year olds.
Nigel commented: The results suggest that UK motorists are becoming less self-sufficient, and are relying more on breakdown organisations to bail them out in the event of a breakdown."
Over the past year, Green Flag has rescued more than 90,000 motorists who had punctures. Green Flag offers the following advice to help motorists keep their tyres in top condition and avoid breakdowns.
Check tyre pressure
When the tyres are cold check the pressure once a week. Your vehicle's handbook will tell you the right pressure. (Don't forget the spare!) If in doubt, consult a garage or tyre specialist.
Check tyre-tread once a month
If you are a high mileage driver, check your tyre-tread more frequently. Car tyres have 'tread wear indicator' bars, which are small ridges set into the main grooves. These indicate the legal minimum tread. If you cannot find them, look for the letters TWI on your tyre wall, or ask a garage. Change your tyres before they reach this point. Also check for bulges and cracks which are signs of weak spots in the tyres.
###
Notes to editors
Research was conducted between March 17 and March 31, 2003 via the Tickbox Survey website at www.tickbox.com.
Green Flag Motoring Assistance provides roadside rescue and recovery to almost 5m customers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Green Flags incident management centre in Leeds handles around 1m calls each year.
On average, Green Flag reaches customers within 35 minutes (verified by research)
Press calls
For further information contact Nigel Charlesworth or Melanie Denny at Green Flag on 0113 399 1427/1387 (out of hours 07711 964 615).
Public-relations@greenflag.com www.greenflag.com
|
