Tyre pressure is one of the most directly controllable safety variables in commercial vehicle operation. A correctly inflated tyre provides predictable handling, effective braking, and reliable load-bearing capacity. Deviations from the correct pressure — in either direction — create safety risks that increase proportionally with vehicle weight and speed.
Under-inflation is the more common and more dangerous condition in commercial fleets. A tyre running well below its rated pressure flexes excessively with every rotation, building up internal heat that degrades the rubber compound and weakens structural integrity. Sustained under-inflation frequently leads to tread separation, sidewall failure, or a sudden blowout — all of which carry serious consequences on a loaded HGV at motorway speed.
DVSA guidance and the Highway Code place responsibility on both operators and drivers to ensure tyres are correctly inflated at all times. Commercial vehicles found with significantly incorrect pressures at roadside checks may receive immediate prohibition notices, preventing the journey from continuing until the defect is resolved. The knock-on scheduling and cost implications of a prohibition can be severe.
Establishing a robust pressure checking routine, supported by calibrated gauges at every operating base and regular checks built into driver walkaround procedures, is the most effective preventive measure. Mobile tyre services can also assist with fleet-wide pressure audits as part of scheduled maintenance visits, ensuring every vehicle in the fleet is running at the correct pressures before departure.
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