Many motorists are putting their lives at risk by having under-inflated tyres, new research shows.

Statistics from the Department for Transport reveal that 43 motorists last year died due to tyre-related problems.

Rob Beddis, chairman of TyreSafe, says: "In 2007, nearly one life was lost every single week of the year as a result of a road traffic accident where illegal, defective or under-inflated tyres were a contributory factor."

The tyre safety organisation also reveals through its own research that 31 per cent of people questioned had not checked the pressure of their tyres in the last month.

Furthermore, the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency notes that 860,000 vehicles failed their MOT as a result of tyre failure in 2006-07, a figure which has risen 14 per cent this year.

Car insurance customers are reminded that UK law prohibits cars and light trailers less than 3,500 kg to have a tyre tread of any less than 1.6mm throughout the whole of its circumference.

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