AS winter weather arrives with the threat of Arctic conditions, road safety organisation TyreSafe is urging drivers to check that their tyres are in a roadworthy condition.

Whether it is snow, wintery showers, persistent rain or a mixture of them all that will be the dominant weather condition, adequate tread depth is going to be a primary safety requirement for all vehicles on the roads.

It is the tyre's tread that clears water from the road surface to keep a vehicle in contact with the road and provides at least some grip on snow and ice. The lower the tread depth, the lower that grip might be, especially as the tyre approaches the minimum legal limit of 1.6mm.

Driving with air pressures below the recommended settings can also significantly affect a tyre's ability to grip. This is because an underinflated or overinflated tyre loses its shape, which in turn lowers the amount of contact it has with the road.

While expert drivers may alter tyre pressures under extreme off-road conditions, it's dangerous to do so on a vehicle which is primarily to be driven on the roads and pressures should remain at the vehicle manufacturer's recommended settings.

While most tyres on the road are primarily designed for summer, they are not dangerous to use in winter and, in fact, advances in technology mean they now perform better than ever before at low temperatures.

However, all tyres must be thoroughly inspected for roadworthiness and the driver must pay particular attention to road conditions and adjust their driving accordingly.

When deciding whether winter or all-season tyres are their best option, TyreSafe recommends owners consider their own driving requirements and the conditions they are likely to face.

Stuart Jackson, TyreSafe chairman, said: "Tyres are put to their ultimate test during winter and more than ever we depend on them to stay safe while driving. Regardless or whatever technological systems are fitted to the vehicle, it is only the tyres which are in contact with the road and provide the grip to turn braking, acceleration and steering adjustments into a change in speed or direction. If tyres are unroadworthy, the best driver in the world will be unable to stay in control of the vehicle in wintery conditions.

"No matter which type of tyre your vehicle is equipped with, during winter it's essential you check they are all in good condition and you adjust your driving to the conditions."

TyreSafe has issued the following guidelines:

If your tyres are below 2mm, consider whether it is worth risking waiting rather than replacing them

If you don't have a tread depth gauge, use a 20p coin as a guide - insert the coin at three points across the tread pattern and at various point around the circumference. If you can see the border at any point, have a professional check them

The legal limit for cars, vans and all vehicles below 3.5 tons is 1.6mm; 1mm for motorcycles over 50cc. A potential £2,500 fine and three penalty points can be applied on each tyre found to be below those limits

Are all tyres at the vehicle manufacturer's recommended settings?

Settings can be found in the owner's handbook, in the door shut or fuel filler cap

Tyres should be free of lumps, bumps, cuts and cracking - if you see these, have them checked by a professional

If you slide and the tyres hit an object like a kerb, check it before your next journeys to ensure it has not been damaged, which may result in a bulge, for example