Fleet managers and drivers across the country need to remember the importance of proper tyre maintenance when it comes to staying safe when out on the roads.

Indeed, a new survey carried out by NFU Mutual has revealed the shocking lack of knowledge concerning tyre safety among the general population, with just 28 per cent of respondents being able to cite the legal minimum tread depth for a tyre in the UK (1.5 mm).

Moreover, under-inflation is an issue many drivers remain unaware of, with this problem causing both an increased likelihood that a tyre could suffer a blowout, as well as making handling less responsive and damaging fuel efficiency.

NFU Mutual representative Alison Cox commented: "Tyres are the only part of [the vehicle] in contact with the road surface and safe acceleration, braking, steering and handling are all dependent on correctly maintained tyres.

"Under-inflated tyres are a major cause of tyre-related incidents, as they flex when they overheat, which can lead to blowouts."

As such, the organisation has highlighted its four main areas of tyre maintenance that all drivers need to be aware of, summed up in the easy-to-remember acronym PACT. This stands for Pressure, Avoid overloading, Condition and Tread depth.

Each of these areas is crucial to effective tyre maintenance and it is for this reason that vehicle operators should carry out inspections of their tyres every time they take their vehicle out on to the roads.

Meanwhile, a simple and effective method for measuring tyre tread depth is highlighted by road safety charity TyreSafe.

The body suggests that inserting a 20p piece into the tread of the tyre can be a simple guide on wear and tear.

If the rim of the coin is completely obscured, then the tyre's tread remains above the legal requirement. However, if the band of the coin is visible then this should be an indicator that the tyre is in need of being changed.