Drivers encouraged to check for lumps, bumps and cracks

11.37 | 3 October 2019 | | 2 comments

Changing behaviour among motorists is the core challenge that needs to be overcome to reduce the number of tyre-related incidents, experts have said.

Statistics show that approximately 170 people are killed or seriously injured each year as a result of tyre-related collisions.

Using the strapline ‘Look Who’s Talking’, Tyre Safety Month 2019 encourages drivers to get into the routine of checking their tyres at least once a month.

Organised annually by TyreSafe, the campaign aims to reduce the number of motorists driving on poorly maintained or defective tyres.

Drivers are being told to look out for lumps, bumps, cracks and cuts – all of which are a sign a tyre may be dangerous and need replacing.

Stuart Jackson, chairman of TyreSafe, said: “The campaign highlights the core challenge that needs to be overcome to reduce the number of tyre-related incidents – behaviour change among motorists.

“While it might sound like an elementary campaign, feedback from our partners, in conjunction with what TyreSafe team members also witness first-hand, underlines there is still a need for basic education of a significant proportion of drivers.

“There may be a section who consciously choose to ignore road safety messages but there is good reason to believe a far larger number would act on the advice if they were made aware of it.”

TyreSafe is also urging drivers to make sure all tyres have a tread depth above the minimum legal limit of 1.6mm – to ensure the tyre remains in contact with the road in the wet.

TyreSafe says driving without the correct amount of air in tyres makes a vehicle more difficult to control and reduces the amount of grip it has on the road. It also increases fuel bills, tyre wear and the risk of being involved in a collision.


 

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    The basic campaign message is sound. Very sad for those directly affected, particularly as it is so easy to routinely check, even with our busy lives.

    However I’m not sure what the scope of a ‘tyre-related incident’ covers either. But to put it in context the 170 KSIs out of 27,295 in the UK in 2018 equates to less than 1%.
    (ref http://roadsafetygb.org.uk/news/1754-road-deaths-recorded-in-2018/)


    Pat, Wales
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    “TyreSafe says driving without the correct amount of air in tyres makes a vehicle more difficult to control and reduces the amount of grip it has on the road.” …only if you’re going to fast, or too close. Cars still crash with perfect tyres.

    What’s a ‘tyre-related incident’ anyway? Would that be a collision involving a vehicle with tyres on it i.e. all of them? Any different from a ‘brake-related incident’ or ‘driver not looking where they’re going’ related incident?


    Hugh Jones, Cheshire
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