Drivers are being reminded to check your tyres before taking to the roads as new rules come into force on Sunday.

Although it is already an offence to drive a vehicle with defective or worn tyres, there will now be a fixed charge (or fine) of €80, with two penalty points endorsed on the licence also.

Anyone who is convicted in court will receive four penalty points.

A recent RSA study reported that defective tyres was the most significant in-car factor in fatal collisions, and that vehicle factors played a role in one in eight fatal collisions between 2008-2012.