SIX accidents on Swindon roads this year have involved cars with balding tyres.

Now Swindon police are desperate to drive home the message that worn out tyres can kill.

And during a crackdown to catch offenders yesterday they carried out random safety checks on cars, vans and mopeds.

The main aim was to raise awareness of tyre safety issues with motorists.

But the checks on 265 vehicles also revealed that Swindon has a higher than average number of vehicles on the roads with at least one illegal tyre.

The minimum legal depth for tyre tread is 1.6mm.

PC Simon Drewett, leading the operation said: "We want to educate motorists to the risks of driving with deficient tyres.

"Tyres need to be changed when they become worn and if they are not there could be serious repercussions, potentially death."

Yesterday PC Drewett and his officers were pulling over vehicles in County Road.

Members of the TSC, which stands for Tyre Safety Council, then quizzed drivers on their tyre safety knowledge.

Drivers whose tyres did not meet the minimum standards were given a formal caution or issued with a fixed penalty fine of £60.

TSC Spokesman, Chris Wakley, said he was not surprised that many of those stopped did not know the minimum legal tread depth.

He said: "Tyres are dirty things hidden under the car, they're not sexy and nobody really thinks about them much.

"But in reality tyres are all that connects your car to the road.

Mr Wakley, who has been involved in similar operations around the country, said Swindon drivers are some of the worst offending in the country.

While the national average stands at 11 per cent, 14 per cent of vehicles in Swindon have at least one faulty tyre.

The same figure was recorded in Swindon last year.

"Now really is the time to get the message home," said Mr Wakley

"Obviously the risks are increased in winter because the roads are more likely to be slippery and wet," said Mr Wakley.

Stratton resident Mervyn Stroud, 60, was praised for keeping his tyres in good condition and knowing the minimum depth tread.

He said: "A safety issue like this is really important and for that reason I didn't mind being stopped for a few minutes."

Other drivers were not so informed and also found themselves facing action for not displaying tax or being properly insured.

The random checks were due to continue today between 8am and 3pm.