Your Letters: November 8

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Published Nov 8

Last updated Nov 8

hand inflating tires of vehicle, checking air pressure and filling air on car wheel at gas station. self service, maintenance and safety transportation concept

IMPORTANCE OF CHECKING TYRES

At the inquest into the tragic deaths of the four Shrewsbury schoolboys the investigating police officer stated that the rear tyres were under-inflated for the weight in the back seats.

As far as I know they didn't explain what happens to the directional stability of a car in these circumstances.

When taking a bend, particularly at speed, centrifugal force will cause the rear of the car to move outwards thereby causing the rate of turn to increase resulting in 'oversteer'.

This can be quite violent and braking or over-correction can cause the car to go sideways and roll.

This could possibly have been a contributory factor in the tragedy.

But it should be understood more widely by drivers when loading a car.