Regular tyre checks could save tens of millions of pounds – TyreSafe

TyreSafe-compiled research frequently shows the human impact of tyre-related incidents in support of its arguments for motorists to increase tyre checks, but the latest infographic from the organisation also counts the economic cost. The estimated cost of tyre-related incidents to the economy over the last five reported years is £416 million, averaging £83.2 million annually, according to Department for Transport figures to 2014. Carrying out regular monthly safety checks could help dramatically reduce the number of incidents and costs, says TyreSafe.

The facts compiled in TyreSafe’s early-2016 infographic include:

• 5,677 total casualties resulting from tyre-related incidents over the last five reported years (DfT to 2014), of which 989 people were killed or seriously injured, annually averaging 1,135 and 198 respectively;
• Where casualties arise from an accident caused by a vehicle defect, tyres are the single largest contributory factor, accounting for 36 per cent of the total;
• 2 million cars fail the MoT due to tyre-related defects, according to DVSA figures between 2012 and 2014;
• the Ministry of Justice reports more than 15,000 convictions for tyre-related offences between 2012 and 2014;
• 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 in 2015, according to a TyreSafe and Highways England survey;
• Highways England attended 38,247 tyre-related callouts on the motorway and major A-road network alone in 2015, with the vast majority resulting in the vehicles coming to a halt on the hard shoulder of these high speed roads, leaving them in a vulnerable and potentially dangerous situation (on average a vehicle is included in Highways England statistics if you are on the hard shoulder for just 12 seconds).

“What we’re urging motorists to do is carry out tyre safety checks on a monthly basis which will substantially reduce their risk of becoming involved in a tyre-related incident on the roads,” said Stuart Jackson, TyreSafe chairman. “Vehicles have become progressively more reliable over the years so fewer of us need to carry out the weekly maintenance we once did on components like oil and water, but tyres are still in direct contact with the road and all the potential physical objects on them. Even new tyres lose pressure over time and can become damaged by potholes or kerbing.

“TyreSafe.org has a wealth of advice on how to carry out these routine tyre checks but if they are still unconfident, or unable to do so themselves, they should visit their local TyreSafe retailer who will be able to help.”