Central Bedfordshire Council’s Highways team has been recognised for a road safety initiative which gives advice to motorists across the area about vehicle maintenance.
Following the success of a series of vehicle safety check events held throughout 2014, judges at this year’s TyreSafe Awards highly commended the team in two award categories: Safety in the Community and Outstanding Contribution.
The vehicle safety checks, part of the Bedfordshire and Luton Casualty Reduction Partnership, show drivers how to make sure that their vehicles are in good working order. Team members fix faults and help motorists to identify problems with their cars.
The partnership has checked almost a thousand vehicles at these events since 2013. Incorrect tyre pressures and poor tread depths were found to be the most common faults amongst the vehicles checked.
Councillor Brian Spurr, Executive Member for Community Services at Central Bedfordshire Council, said: “While bad weather and poor driving conditions are beyond motorists’ control, car maintenance is an issue for which we all need to take personal responsibility.
“It is important to ensure that vehicles are serviced regularly, so that any faults can be identified and fixed before they develop into a major problem. By doing this, not only will it help you to avoid a big bill from the garage but, most importantly, it will also help to reduce the number of incidents on our roads.”