One in 12 HGVs have tyres that are dangerously underinflated, according to research carried out by Highways England.

It also found that many commercial vehicle drivers leave tyre maintenance to their depots and don’t bother checking pressures themselves.

The results were published as Welcome Break and Highways England announced that its trial offering a free tyre pressure service would be extended until the end of the year.

Drivers visiting Welcome Break’s services on the M6 southbound at Keele in Staffordshire can use the “sensor stations”, which instantly assess each tyre’s pressure, before being provided with a print-out highlighting any issues.

The project was launched in April for a three-month trial period but has proven so successful it has now been extended until 31 December.

“It’s gone down very well with customers and could potentially prevent a major accident,” said Welcome Break chief executive officer Rod McKie.

Highways England’s research also found that many car and commercial vehicle drivers do not know the correct PSI for their vehicles and that “most average HGVs” have at least one dangerously underinflated tyre.

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