Photo Credit: Idiolector via Compfight cc

Today I’m welcoming the team at Point S to the blog to talk about the important issue of tyres. OK, so it might not be the most exciting of subjects, but did you know that the tyres on your car are an ESSENTIAL part of your car safety? Of course you did. Well read on to find out how your tyres could be keeping your family safe next time you drive somewhere…

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When is the last time you checked your tyres? Be honest, it probably wasn’t that recently. A car’s tyres are, of course, an essential part of the driving system, but you should never underestimate the significant part they play in road safety. Most of us mums wouldn’t dream of driving off on a journey without strapping the kids in with a suitable and age-appropriate booster seat. We wouldn’t think of heading out on the road without wearing a seatbelt ourselves, would we?

But when it comes to the condition of our car’s tyres there can be a bit of a problem. If you have not checked yours for a while, then perhaps it is time you do so today.

Tyres as a Safety System

The traction of a car’s tyres is not simply there to transfer the energy from the engine to the road, although this is an important function. All mass-produced cars have to be tested these days to demonstrate they can function safely in a lot of different weather conditions. This means the tyres that are fitted need to be suited to the size and weight of the vehicle.

There must also be a specified amount of air pumped into each wheel so that the tyre can function at its best. With the right tyres under the correct level of pressure, traction is improved. This helps with fuel efficiency, but more crucially – in terms of safety – it allows the driver to stop the car rapidly when the brakes are applied.

Because the tyres of your car have grooves – also known as tread – more grip is maintained on the road. This level of grip, which comes from the gouged lines that run around the tyre, helps the car to corner without spinning off, as well as reducing the stopping distance when emergency braking. In wet weather, the tread also disperses water underneath the wheel, so the chances of aquaplaning and subsequently skidding are reduced.

Which Tyres Are Best?

Each car maker will specify the size of tyre needed for your model of car. To keep you and your family safe when on the road, always adhere to this specification and avoid buying part-worn tyres. Although they may be legal, they are not always the safest option.

Economy tyres can seem like a good option, but instead consider premium tyres from an expert seller, such as Point S. These can last longer, saving your money in the long run, but they also have better safety functions, too. This will help you to brake, corner and maintain control in wet conditions – something that is highly desired by nearly all parents.

What about Snow?

If you need to travel with your family in snowy conditions, stick to the main roads which have been gritted, if you have normal tyres. If you are travelling somewhere more remote, then consider adding snow chains to your tyres to improve their traction. Alternatively, ask your tyre dealer about winter tyres, an increasingly popular choice among safety-conscious motorists.

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This is a commissioned post written by Point S. For more information please see my disclosure page. 

The post Let’s talk about tyres (and not the one around my middle) appeared first on Mother's Always Right.

Me, operating at full superwoman capacity. Kind of.

I was in a car crash on Tuesday. Not a serious one; I haven’t broken anything and there’s barely any damage to my car, but it was enough to leave me shaken and sore.

As I waited patiently for a safe crossing on a busy roundabout I was hit from behind by a driver who failed to brake in time. He was apologetic and visibly shaken. I was in a daze. After we exchanged details, attempting to dodge the mounting traffic, I started to feel sick. I gulped back the tears threatening to fall and got back in my car, driving the 10 minutes back to work on autopilot. It wasn’t until I fell through the door of the office that I realised how much I was shaking.

At the time, my shoulders, neck and back ached, but that got worse throughout the day. My main concern 30 minutes after the crash was getting to nursery to collect my two year old on time. I wanted to jump back in my car and finish the journey I’d started, regardless of any potential damage to my vehicle or body.

I was superwoman, I didn’t get hurt. I didn’t have time to be in shock. I had to get on with my day.

I’m very thankful to my lovely neighbour for stepping in at that point and offering to do the pick-up, so I didn’t have to race down the motorway and get there in time. I’m also grateful to my husband for coming home from work at a decent hour on Tuesday, so I could go to the doctor and be scolded for doing too much, before finding out I have high blood pressure and whiplash.

Although the accident wasn’t my fault, it’s left me panicky. I have to cover 80 miles a day in my car, so anxiety around driving isn’t helpful. But I’m now more aware than ever of how easy it is for accidents to happen. The fact I lost a member of my family in a car crash just before Christmas is, once again, fresh in my mind.

With the shock and the aches has come a kind of acceptance that I have to stop. Although I’ve still been getting up at 4am to do the radio show I currently work on, I haven’t tried to cram too much into the rest of my day. All toddler afternoon activities have been cancelled in favour of snuggles in front of a film or with books. The strong painkillers me a bit fuzzy and whoozy anyway, so it seems to take ten minutes to do a two minute job.

The last two evenings have seen me in bed by 6pm, as my husband takes over bedtime duties. I’ve had to swallow the Mother Guilt and remind myself that if I keep going at 100 miles an hour when I’m not feeling my best, I’ll hit a wall.

It’s hard.

There’s always so much to do, you see. There are always people who want to call meetings or have conversations about work projects over the phone, or who expect emails to be answered within 30 minutes – even if they know I’m recovering from an accident. You get the, “Oh poor you, I’m glad you’re OK” conversation, immediately followed by the, “Now, if you could just do this for me” line. It’s taken a car crash and a couple of days feeling very out of kilter for me to realise just how many people make (often unrealistic) demands on my time.

I love my work, but not at the expense of my health. I love my child, but I can only be the best mum I can be – marathon crafting sessions and toddler activity classes and playdates will have to wait this week.

It’s time to accept that even superwoman has off days. Even superwoman would struggle to work 80 hours, spend afternoons doing mum stuff and keep a clean house, if she’d been in a car accident.

And anyway, I’m not superwoman. No one is.

Superwoman doesn’t exist.

So, for now, I’m going to embrace my non-superwoman status and attempt to ignore the guilt. Everything will just have to wait.

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