While walking around Mellieħa one evening I could not believe how many cars making use of rain tyres have them fitted incorrectly.

A typical rain tyre will have either a deep full chevron tread or, in some cases, a half chevron tread pattern. When fitted correctly the point of the chevron in the middle of the tyre should hit the road first. This ensures that the rain in front of the tyre is forced outward when the tyre rotates, thus reducing the likelihood of aquaplaning or increasing the speed at which this starts to happen.

When fitted incorrectly the outside of the chevron will hit the road first and force the water to the centre of the tyre as it rotates.

This both increases the likelihood of aquaplaning and dramatically decreases the speed at which it occurs.

When aquaplaning happens, the wheels are no longer in contact with the road so you can forget braking or steering – that just won’t happen.

Given the amount and type of rain you get on Malta, I think it will be a case of ‘go straight to the scene of the accident’.

Indeed, I found a sports utility vehicle with both front tyres fitted incorrectly and a small van with both tyres on one side of the vehicle fitted incorrectly.

They were not alone.

If you have an accident, I don’t think your insurance company will be much help; they just won’t pay up.

Check your tyres!