MOTORISTS driving on defective tyres are to be targeted in a major crackdown by police in North Yorkshire.

A series of surprise tyre checks are to be held at various sites all over the county over the next week.

Police are promising to take firm action against any drivers whose tyres fail to reach the standards required by law.

The campaign coordinator, traffic sergeant, Nigel Atkinson, said: "It is no coincidence that road deaths have increased across the county during the past few weeks of wet weather.

"Unsafe tyres mean unsafe vehicles that cannot corner or brake as well as they should. That is a situation we will not tolerate."

The campaign has the full support of Chief Constable David Kenworthy, who said: "Everyone should be making pre-winter tyre check now - and this week's torrential rain has emphasised the dangers of going out on anything but sound targets.

"Anyone driving on worn or defective tyres should now take this as a warning - next week North Yorkshire Police will be looking out for you."

The initiative is being supported by the Tyre Industry Council (TIC), whose experts will be taking part in the campaign.

A series of checks across the county two years ago found that a "woeful" 13 per cent of all the vehicles stopped had at least one defective tyre - that is below the 1.6mm legal minimum for tread depth.

This year, the checks will run at three different locations each day for five days, from Monday. Motorists found to have a defective tyre could face a fine of up to £2,500 and three penalty points on their licence.

l In advance of the campaign, the TIC is arranging a free tyre safety clinic at the Clifton Moor Retail Park, York, tomorrow, from 10am to 4pm.