TyreSafe: 2012 Tyre Safety month broke new ground

TyreSafe’s 2012 tyre safety month “reached new levels of…participation”, according to the industry body. A record amount of printed point-of-sale material, including 200,000 leaflets and posters, were distributed to those in the tyre industry, particularly to participating tyre retailers and workshops offering free tyre safety checks to car owners.

Educational material was also made available to download from TyreSafe’s website, which highlighted to customers the ‘Time for a change?’ theme, whereby the not-for-profit organisation was advising motorists to check their tyres to see if they needed replacing.

Stuart Jackson, chairman, TyreSafe, said: “Tyre safety month gets bigger and better every year and our thanks go to everyone that supported it. It really is a great opportunity for anyone connected to the tyre industry or who has an interest in road safety to highlight the tyre safety message.”

Among those playing a key role in lending their support to the month-long initiative by distributing leaflets and advice at a locally held event were Thurrock Council Emergency Planning Team, Tendering District Council and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service. Meanwhile, Cheshire Fire Service held 14 tyre safety awareness days at supermarkets, shopping centres and DIY stores across the county.

Yet another emergency service getting involved was Sussex Police which carried out tyre checks on cars parked at Gatwick Airport, including the staff car park. A TyreSafe leaflet and a Sussex Safer Roads Partnership notice warning of a defective tyre was placed on vehicles which needed it.

The south coast constabulary also spread the message far and wide with stands at shopping centres and also by tapping into its links with Neighbourhood Policing Officers and local parish councils to help distribute leaflets.

Also, continuing their close involvement with TyreSafe was Cumbria Constabulary which held a series of activities across the region.

West Berkshire Council also organised a tyre safety awareness display at Kennet Shopping Centre in Newbury, which was supported by members from its road safety team, as well as Thames Valley Police and the local fire service.