Drivers risking accidents by neglecting vehicle maintenance

Motorists are putting lives at risk by knowingly driving cars carrying serious faults or broken components.

A survey of 1,000 motorists has shown that just under half have driven cars with a defect such as worn tyres or broken lights within the last twelve months alone, whilst 20% have set off with broken wipers or insufficient fluids.

More worryingly, 12% of the drivers polled admitted to driving regardless of having broken or faulty lights or defective tyres, whilst 4% frequently set off in a car with broken indicators.

A further third of respondents did not ensure they had the recommended 3mm tyre tread for wet weather driving and one in seven admitted that they did not check components such as water levels, lights, indicators or brakes before making a long journey.

Julie Townsend, deputy chief executive of Brake, said: "Taking a vehicle on the road without being sure it is roadworthy is asking for trouble, exposing yourself and others to unnecessary danger.

"It is shocking to see so many drivers both ignorant and wilfully negligent when it comes to basic and essential vehicle maintenance checks.

"You don't need to be an expert to carry out basic vehicle checks, and it needn't take long. If you are unsure of what to do, follow Brake's advice, and consult a local mechanic if you need to. And if you do discover a problem, don't put off getting it fixed, which risks a breakdown, extra costs or worse: a devastating crash."

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