If Your Tyres Don’t Stop You, What Will?

Latest figures from the Department for Transport (DfT) show that 153 people are killed or seriously injured in incidents related to tyre defects, underlining the potential risks of skipping tyre checks.

To educate drivers on the importance and benefits of tyre safety, TyreSafe has developed impactful depictions of scenarios which highlight the potential risk of driving on defective tyres.

The campaign incorporates the powerful acronym ‘ACT – Air pressure, Condition, Tread’ to further imprint the three elements of basic tyre safety checks on the driver into all video and printed assets.

Air Pressure – correct tyre pressures are shown on a sticker in your car’s door shut, filler cap or in the owner’s manual. Use an accurate pressure gauge to ensure they are right for the load as part of your pre-journey planning

Condition – if stones or other objects caught between grooves in the tread can be removed without damaging the tyre, drivers are advised to do so. Bulges, cracks, cuts and embedded objects are cause for concern and need to be checked by a professional

Tread – if you don’t have access to an accurate tread depth gauge, a 20p coin can be used to see if your tyres’ tread depths are approaching the 1.6mm minimum limit. Insert the 20p at several points across and around each tyre. If you can see the coin’s outer rim at any point the tyre may be illegal and you should seek advice from a professional.

Stuart Lovatt, TyreSafe chair, said: “This campaign leaves no room for confusion or question that tyres are vital to road safety. In an emergency, roadworthy tyres could be the difference between driving away and the unthinkable. Ignoring tyre safety and putting others at risk is inexcusable, especially when it only takes a few minutes to check your tyres every month.”