Warning as spacesaver tyre blamed for crash

Spacesaver tyres are smaller and designed to travel much shorter distances than ordinary tyres. Photo / File

Police are warning drivers about the dangers of using spacesaver tyres over long distances, saying they are designed to be only a temporary solution.

The warning comes after a man was trapped by live power lines when he crashed his car. He suffered neck injuries.

The crash on Warwick Cres, Taradale, also cut power to several houses for nearly 12 hours.

Acting Sergeant Grant Marshall said it appeared the crash was caused by the car being driven on a spacesaver tyre. He said spacesaver tyres should be driven at low speed and for only a short period.

"The maximum speed for driving on a spacesaver tyre is 80km/h on the open road."

Spacesaver tyres were smaller and less durable than regular tyres and were not designed for everyday use.

"We would strongly recommend that you replace any spacesaver tyre with a spare regular tyre, if possible.

"This is all about safety, not just for the car owner but also for other road users," Mr Marshall said.

A New Zealand Transport Agency spokesman said spacesaver tyres were for emergency use only.

"If you get a flat tyre and replace a wheel with a spacesaver wheel, you should only use it to get directly home or to a place where the flat tyre can be repaired or replaced.

"The vehicle is likely to handle differently with a spacesaver wheel," he said.