Serious tyre-related casualties lower in 2012

The 2012 annual report on road casualties in Great Britain was released by the Department for Transport this morning, and these show that the number of drivers killed or seriously injured on the UK's roads as a result of a dangerous, illegal or underinflated tyres, fell by five per cent to 194 casualties.

This decline has been cautiously welcomed by TyreSafe, who has been campaigning since 2006 for better tyre care and maintenance, and shows that the trend continues; since TyreSafe’s inception, the number of drivers killed or seriously injured on the UK’s roads as a result of tyre-related factors has fallen by 36 per cent.

“We are pleased that the number of fatalities or serious casualties coming from a tyre related accident has fallen, but this is no time for complacency,” comments Stuart Jackson, chairman, TyreSafe. “We are seeing an increased number of drivers who are willing to run their tyres right down to the legal limit in an attempt to save money, and this will reduce their safety on the road. While we’ve been successful in helping to remove the most dangerous tyres from the road, average tread depths on cars have reduced recently which has contributed to an actual increase in number of drivers suffering slight injuries.”

The Dft figures were released just days before the start of Tyre Safety Month, which will encourage drivers to check their tyre pressures at least once a month. Thousands of garages and tyre dealers will participate in the tyre safety campaign throughout October and offer free tyre safety checks. These inspections will cover tread depth, tyre pressure and checking tyres are in a safe condition, free from any cuts, bulges or other hazards that could pose a serious safety threat.

“As the latest figures show, driving on illegal or dangerous tyres can result in paying the ultimate price. Regular tyre checks only take a brief moment yet they could be the most rewarding few minutes you ever spend. Of course, if you’re in any doubt, then call into one of the many garages who will be offering free tyre safety checks this October,” concludes Jackson.