Is there a need for tyre safety campaigns?

NO, it should be a matter of course that we all simply do it ?

The need for the annual tyre safety campaign has once again been underlined by the research carried out by the TyreSafe team in conjunction with several police forces across the country, the evidence collated is quite startling. TyreSafe and tyre safety awareness depend on support to drive the change in attitudes needed to help reduce the number of tyre-related incidents on our roads.

But is this because people can’t be bothered or just don’t know. The most significant of those is the results from the second phase of the survey of tyre tread depth at the point of replacement in partnership with Highways England.

Over 340,000 tyres have now been surveyed by over 800 retailers across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales confirming the findings of the first phase, that more than one-in-four British motorists are replacing their tyres when they were already illegal.

In 2016, that equates to potentially over 10 million illegal and dangerous tyres on Britain’s roads. In combination with the number of casualties resulting from tyre-related incidents, the MOT failure rate due to defective tyres, and surveys of British motorists’ awareness of tyre safety issues, there is unquestionable evidence that attitudes need to change. In addition to the fact that routine tyre checks would prevent many of these incidents, this evidence has been the inspiration behind this year’s Tyre Safety Month campaign – Don’t chance it, Check it.

Key messages While the need to carry out regular tyre checks may seem obvious an alarming number of Britain’s motorists are replacing their tyres only when they have already become illegal and dangerous. If they carried out #TyreChecks, this avoidable safety issue could be rectified.

• Potentially over 10 million illegal and dangerous tyres could be on Britain’s roads in 2016

• Tread depth has a decisive influence on the way your vehicle accelerates, brakes and corners

• Safe tyres with legal tread depth will reduce the risks to you, your passengers and all road users

• Driving on tyres with illegal tread depth not only reduces your safety on the road but also risks a fine of up to £2,500 and three penalty points for each illegal tyre Facts & figures TyreSafe’s survey found that more than 27% of people replaced their tyres when they were already illegal, that could mean over 10 million illegal and dangerous tyres on Britain’s roads in 2016.

• The total number of casualties resulting from tyre-related incidents over last five reported years* is 5,677 of which 989 people were killed or seriously injured, annually averaging 1135 and 198 respectively

• Where casualties arise from an accident caused by a vehicle defect, tyres are the single largest contributory factor over the last five reported years*, accounting for 36% of the total

• The estimated cost of tyre-related incidents to the economy over the last five reported years* is £416 million, averaging £83.2 million annually

• Annually, 2.2 million cars fail the MOT due to tyre-related defects**

• TyreSafe’s survey in partnership with Highways England revealed potentially up to 10 million, or more than one-in-four cars and vans on Britain’s roads, was driven with an illegal and dangerous tyre.