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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think that people in general really don't care about road safety?

81 replies

Iqqq · 04/02/2021 08:00

I'm noticing more and more (especially on here), that car owners really don't care about the safety of their vehicle.

Cheap Chinese ditch finder tyres, coupled with unserviced brake systems is a recipe for disaster, yet I know of several people who only buy the cheapest tyres available, and then leave the servicing for the mot tester. A sort of "if it ain't broke, don't touch it" mentality.

Does anybody actually do regular vehicle checks any more, and who else doesn't bother actually having the car serviced, just leaving it for the mot to highlight items to be fixed?

Aibu to think a lot of car owners are either too stupid or just don't care enough about safety to carry out regular safety checks?

OP posts:
AwaAnBileYerHeid · 04/02/2021 09:32

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

TeenMinusTests · 04/02/2021 09:33

There should be no tyres on sale that aren't safe.
People should be able to buy cheap tyres. They may not last as long, but they should still be safe.

Graciebobcat · 04/02/2021 09:37

@TeenMinusTests

There should be no tyres on sale that aren't safe. People should be able to buy cheap tyres. They may not last as long, but they should still be safe.
Quite.
torquewench · 04/02/2021 09:45

My exH once put cheap tyres on my car, which was a second car as he had a company car and mine only did very low annual mileage (it was quite high powered though). I thought they were crap but he didnt belive me until I made him drive it on a wet day and when it wouldnt steer around a roundabout or grip anywhere and despite them only having done a few hundred miles he took the car to Kwik Fit the same day and changed them for Continental tyres. I keep on top of maintenance, regularly check pressure (although theres a sensor in my current car for this) and oil colour and levels. Also I really notice tyre wear on my motorbike. New ones transform the handling. Im also more aware of bike tyre noise - Bridgestones are awful and make a high pitched whine, which I think is due to the profile. My Pirellis though are great and getting new ones on gives me more joy than a new pair of shoes 🤣 I just wouldnt cut corners on stuff like this where my life could quite literally depend on it.

Changi · 04/02/2021 09:52

There should be no tyres on sale that aren't safe.
People should be able to buy cheap tyres. They may not last as long, but they should still be safe.

That depends on how you define 'safe'.

It is quite obvious from test data that some tyres grip the road better than others and have shorter braking distances from a given speed. Unfortunately, cheaper tyres most often have the least grip and the longest braking distances. That may not be an issue in day to day driving but in difficult conditions or when an emergency stop is needed, it could be the difference between someone's life or death.

BerniesMittens · 04/02/2021 09:55

I thought this was going to be about pedestrians crossing the road, not vehicle upkeep and maintenance! Grin

MissBaskinIfYoureNasty · 04/02/2021 10:02

I do check my car but firstly, my dad taught me to do it and secondly we can afford the proper upkeep. I have a neighbour who just gets a £500 banger, pretty much runs it into the ground and then just gets another 🤷‍♀️

Iwantacookie · 04/02/2021 10:12

I dont check that stuff myself except for washer fluid but I get through gallons of that stuff anyway. But my dad will check everytime I see him (every few weeks)
The bane of my life is taking the car to the garage. You just know your going to be ripped off before you even walk through the door so already puts a sour mood on it.
I absolutely care about car safety but I think its ALOT more to do with drivers than the vehicles tbh.

torquewench · 04/02/2021 10:19

I follow my local traffic police on Twitter, the number of pictures they tweet with tryes worn down to the canvas is shocking. I cant understand how people can drive properly with something so obviously defective.

torquewench · 04/02/2021 10:27

This is one - worn and cracked 😱

Ileflottante · 04/02/2021 10:29

I don’t think it’s a ‘trollish’ thread @Graciebobcat.

The only snarky comment I can see is yours: “I don’t buy a dog and bark myself.”

torquewench · 04/02/2021 10:35

And presumably this dog doesnt shop for its own food and walk itself, i.e. it needs looking after 😉

OliviaPopeRules · 04/02/2021 10:37

My car had a warning system when oil etc is low or tyre pressure is off or if the tyre needs to be changed. This has been the case with any car I have bought for the last 15 years and these aren't high end cars. I would imagine the vast majority of cars on the road do this.

Seeline · 04/02/2021 10:37

When I first started driving I did lots of things with my cars - mainly because they were old and needed maintenance. I could check tyres, and change a where if necessary. I could check screen wash and oil and top up if necessary. I could change bulbs and clean/change spark plugs.

Now I buy new cars, they are modern with in-built systems to check most of these. I still have it serviced every year, and due to relatively low mileage find that most things last the year. Modern cars are also much harder for individuals to maintain. Changing a bulb involves removing half the body work!

torquewench · 04/02/2021 10:38

I also think Gracie's first comment proves the OP's point, that they literally dont care and leave it to someone else.

CakeRequired · 04/02/2021 10:40

Changing a bulb involves removing half the body work!

Tip for that. Select a couple of cars you are interested in buying, go to Halford and ask which is easiest to change a light bulb on. It's why I bought a golf and not an audi. Grin

LochJessMonster · 04/02/2021 10:42

@OliviaPopeRules

My car had a warning system when oil etc is low or tyre pressure is off or if the tyre needs to be changed. This has been the case with any car I have bought for the last 15 years and these aren't high end cars. I would imagine the vast majority of cars on the road do this.
This. The magic of modern technology means my car will tell me when my tyre pressure or oil is low.
Grenlei · 04/02/2021 10:42

The main cause of most RTAs is driver error or inattention.

Not a poorly serviced vehicle.

QueenPawPaws · 04/02/2021 10:45

Checked washer fluid and oil
Tyres the pressure warning comes on
I work for a dealership so it gets a health check anyway and if anything sounds dodgy the techs usually spot it!

Springersrock · 04/02/2021 10:48

@CakeRequired

Changing a bulb involves removing half the body work!

Tip for that. Select a couple of cars you are interested in buying, go to Halford and ask which is easiest to change a light bulb on. It's why I bought a golf and not an audi. Grin

I just go to Halfords and pay them the tenner or whatever it is and get them to change the lightbulbs for me.

And presumably this dog doesnt shop for its own food and walk itself, i.e. it needs looking after 😉

But when the dog needs it’s annual check, I take it to the vet. I top it’s water up and fill it up with food every day, but if it breaks or things don’t seem quite right, I rely on professionals who know which bits are supposed to be where and how it all works

Much like my car.

Ginfordinner · 04/02/2021 10:48

@Swingometer

I get my car MOT'd and serviced as per the schedule and if I notice anything else in between that doesn't seem right (warning lights on dash, flat tyre, strange noise etc) I will take it to the garage

The only reason I ever go under the bonnet is to top up the screen wash

So far the above policy has served me well

I do this as well, and check the oil. I also regularly check the tyres. We do a lot of motorway driving, so it is important to check these things.

My oil light came on the other day so I booked it into the garage. They offered to do a 30 point seasonal check as well (I have a service plan) which I agreed to. The discovered that my front tyres needed changing, so I rang around, got some prices and got it sorted.

I don't buy budget tyres either.

Grenlei · 04/02/2021 10:50

It also depends how much you drive, I average about 6-8,000 miles per year in my car. I have low to mid range tyres and over 5 years (and 2 different cars) have only needed to replace the front 2 in one car as I got a puncture (thanks potholes...).

Obviously if you are doing 30000 miles a year your tyres are going to wear through quicker.

I replace washer fluid when it runs low, and check my tyre pressure every few months (and only because my car is slightly too old to have tyre pressure warnings inbuilt). Everything else I leave to the garage.

DynamoKev · 04/02/2021 11:19

@OliviaPopeRules

My car had a warning system when oil etc is low or tyre pressure is off or if the tyre needs to be changed. This has been the case with any car I have bought for the last 15 years and these aren't high end cars. I would imagine the vast majority of cars on the road do this.
There is no system to tell you if your tyre is bald - to any car, anywhere.
Elai1978 · 04/02/2021 12:15

There is no system to tell you if your tyre is bald - to any car, anywhere.

This

Also, I’m amazed at the number of people who only discover their tyres are worn out at MOT or service, this is basic stuff that shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone.

Bourbonic · 04/02/2021 12:20

This post is a really weird way to validate yourself.

I'm very capable of maintaining my car and carry out mods and repairs if I need to.

But I drive about 4000 miles a year so I'm not overly concerned about the condition of my tyres I between servicing.

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