Van drivers and the companies which own them are being urged to think about the condition of the tyres and whether they are fit for the weight of the cargo they are supporting.

At its annual briefing the industry’s campaigning organisation, TyreSafe, said there are now more than four million vans on our roads, 60% more than in 2000, and they clock up over a billion miles a week. They are used as mobile workshops, for business, a courier’s workhorse and home delivery drops and all place high demands on their tyres.

Launching the ‘Britain works on tyres’ campaign, officials pointed out that quite apart from the safety aspect, drivers and operators can face financial penalties too.

Overloading is the most common offence identified at DVSA roadside checks and can get result in fines of over £800, and accounts for 70% of prohibitions on vans which means they are removed from the road. Overloading is dangerous because if the weight of the van and cargo is heavier than it was designed for it puts extra stress on your tyres. That extra weight changes the tyre’s shape and causes heat to build up which can quickly lead to a catastrophic failure and a blow-out.

A van’s maximum permissible weight is detailed in the handbook, along with the tyres’ appropriate load index. This is a two or three digit code showing how much weight it can safely carry. You should always ensure your tyres have the right load index for the van.

Tyre pressure must also be correctly adjusted for the load and as well as being in the handbook they are probably displayed inside the fuel filler cap or on a plate on the front door sill.