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Motorists Urged to Remember Tyres

June 5 to 12 is Auto Safety Week in the Australian state of Victoria, and this year the campaign is placing a heavy emphasis on tyre safety. As part of the program motorists are being given a timely reminder of the same important safety issues that would sound very familiar to – and are unfortunately largely ignored by – drivers in most countries.

Appropriate tyre maintenance is no less overlooked in Australia than in other parts of the world, and the preliminary results of an ongoing test conducted by the business group VACC (Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce) and motorists’ organisation RACV (Royal Automobile Club of Victoria) confirm the finding of previous surveys, showing that one in every five cars on the roads in the state of Victoria are fitted with at least one unroadworthy tyre, while a further twenty per cent of vehicles have at least one tyre that has reached the end of its safe working life. Even more disturbing was the finding that more than half of those motorists stopped as part of the test said they did not know how, or when, to check their tyres.

6th June 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Dubai Authorities Plan Tyre Safety Campaign

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has finalised preparations for the launch of a two-month campaign to create awareness about the importance of tyre safety in order to avoid accidents. According to the Khaleej Times, Maitha bin Udai, executive director of the Traffic and Road Agency, RTA, said the campaign would feature a comprehensive programme, including a permanent traffic exhibition. A message, to be displayed at more than 300 sites, will tell motorists that excess luggage and passengers or failure to make proper maintenance of the vehicle run counter to traffic safety rules.

She said the campaign, which will be launched in association with the Nasser Abdul Lateef Al Serkal Establishment and a number of companies connected with road users’ safety, will conduct random patrols to advise motorists on the validity and road-worthiness of their vehicles’ tyres. These patrols, she said, will comprise supervisors from the RTA awareness section and tyremaker, Bridgestone. They will offer a tyre examination service to all motorists regardless of the brand of tyres.

5th June 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Tyre Smart in Norfolk

Motorists in the coastal town of Great Yarmouth are being offered hands-on advice to make them more safety conscious and, in particular, tyre aware. Technicians at Kingsway Tyres are sharing their expertise at driver awareness evenings in association with First Stop partner Bridgestone. As well as picking up basic maintenance tips, drivers are being taught how to carry out regular checks that can save them money and might even save their lives.

“We’re covering everyday scenarios like how to change a tyre, how to check the tyre tread depth and pressure, and how to check oil levels and water levels – things we all ought to really know about, but often don’t,” said Mark Buckenham, manager of Kingsway Great Yarmouth. “The evenings are hands-on, but relaxed. One of the key elements of the course is that motorists get to practice on their own car to make them feel more comfortable should a problem arise. The focus is simply making them better prepared rather than expert mechanics.”

5th June 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Gives Tyre Safety Training in Africa

International development agency Transaid has launched a Tyre Safety Awareness Campaign in Malawi and Zambia, which commenced with a series of training courses led by Phil Rochester, a Training Manager at Michelin’s head office in Stoke-on-Trent. The initiative forms part of Transaid’s wider programme of work on road safety and professional driver training, which aims to reduce the number of road traffic crashes in Africa, which records 10 per cent of all such incidents, despite having just four per cent of the world’s total vehicle parc.

A total of 10 training courses were delivered over a two week period to key audiences which included traffic police, road safety agencies, road transport operators and public transport operators. Each course provided basic information on safety checks and how to avoid dangers associated with poorly maintained tyres, with training delivered to 270 people.

30th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Kwik-Fit Uses Mobile Phone Technology

Kwik-Fit has begun using digital pens and mobile phone technology to provide an improved fleet service. The move sees Kwik-Fit Mobile’s tyre inspectors deliver report results electronically to a control centre at the end of each day. Each report, which is logged in the digital pen, is sent immediately on completion by inspectors via their mobile phone using both Bluetooth and GPRS technology to the control centre. This means the replacement of damaged or illegal tyres, can be carried out much quicker than previously.

Kwik-Fit Mobile operations director Simon Lucas said: “On receipt of the information the control centre can then contact a car driver immediately to arrange the time and location of any work to be carried out. The technology also means that we can source any tyres that are required immediately, which enables any work to be undertaken within 24 hours.

25th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Power to the PCL

Energy supplier Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) has teamed up with PCL to provide its staff with a vital gift to keep them safe on the roads. As the latest project in its on-going Health and Safety initiative, SSE decided to target tyre maintenance which, if neglected, can cause serious, even fatal, accidents.

PCL was asked to supply 17,500 pencil-style tyre pressure gauges along with tyre trade depth gauges, which SSE gave to employees in a company wallet enclosing a safety information/advice card. The response was so great that a further 2,000 of each gauge were supplied to cover the extra unexpected demand.

21st May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Kwik-Fit Fleet Collects Three Van Fleet World Honours

Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, Kwik-Fit Fleet was also jubilant about its success in winning Best Service Provider and two other awards at this year’s Van Fleet World Honours. The organisation has already won 2007 awards from BusinessCar and Fleet News. Averaging more than three awards per year since Kwik-Fit Fleet was founded as a division of Kwik-Fit in 1987, the latest win means the company has secured a total of 63 fleet industry awards since launch.

The annual Van Fleet World Honours were presented yesterday (Thursday, May 17) at a ceremony at London’s Royal Automobile Club. They are presented to those van manufacturers and service companies who have, in the opinion of the judging panel composed of industry experts, achieved the highest possible level of excellence in their sector.

18th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

ETRMA Joins European Road Safety Charter

At the end of April the European Tyre & Rubber Manufacturers Association (ETRMA), the representative association for ten of the leading tyre companies operating in Europe, signed up to the European Road Safety Charter. The April 27 signing ceremony was chaired by European Commission vice-president Jacques Barrot in the presence of the Association’s president, Francesco Gori, vice-president Eric de Cromières and secretary general, Fazilet Cinaralp.

“Today I am pleased that at the time of Europe’s first Road Safety Day, the ETRMA has signed up to the Charter and is making strong commitments,” stated Mr. Barrot during the proceedings. “The Tyre Industry’s dedication represents an encouraging signal to achieving the European Road Safety Charter objectives.”

10th May 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

Kwik-Fit Shows Support to Bridgestone Safety Campaign

Kwik-Fit has pledged its support to Bridgestone’s “Think Before You Drive” campaign – which is their contribution to the United Nations Global Road Safety Week taking place during 23rd – 29th April.
Throughout the entire week Kwik-Fit will donate its fitters and premises – nationwide – to conduct free tyre checks on behalf Bridgestone. All motorists are welcome to a free, no obligation tyre check up at any one of Kwik-Fit’s 670 UK centres, without appointment.
Bridgestone’s initiative “Think before you drive” advises drivers of the four basic steps to improve safety. These are:

– Always wear a seat belt
– Use a suitable child seat
– Position the head rest correctly
– Ensure your tyres have the right pressure and sufficient tread depth.

25th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

MyGoodyear.co.uk Hits the Radio

Goodyear has launched a radio information campaign to highlight the role of preventative tyre maintenance in road safety. The campaign also promotes the launch of MyGoodyear.co.uk, a new website that not only offers safety advice, but also celebrates the great British Bank Holiday with suggestions for ‘Good Days Out’ across the UK. Goodyear launched the website with interviews on nineteen local and regional radio stations this week, reaching an audience of over 1.4 million listeners.

James Bailey, Communications Manager, stated: “With the May Bank Holiday approaching it is the perfect time to start thinking about places to go across the UK. MyGoodyear.co.uk, in conjunction with our DriveHomeSafely partnership, offers advice on where to go, but also on how to get there safely. Preventative tyre maintenance can mean the difference between a brilliant bank holiday and a potentially tragic weekend, and we are urging drivers to carry out simple pressure and tread depth checks before setting out. MyGoodyear.co.uk provides inspiration for people looking for a fun bank holiday weekend with an eclectic range of suggestions from organic food markets to a sheep and goat Grand National!”

18th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

BERU Tyre Safety System Picks Up “Genius 2007” Safety Award

In April, Jürgen Brust, managing director of BERU Electronics GmbH, received the “Genius 2007” Allianz safety award for the Beru direct pressure monitoring Tyre Safety System (TSS) at a ceremony in Leipzig.
Allianz’s annual “Genius” award is designed to honour pioneering technical developments which have already been implemented in practice and which contribute to the creation of safer road traffic. With this award, the insurance company aims to motivate automotive manufacturers to install safety features such as the BERU tyre pressure control system into their vehicles.

At the award presentation, Dr. Karl-Walter Gutberlet, board member of Allianz, underlined this when he said: “The TSS does not only provide better safety in road traffic, but it also helps to minimise CO2 emissions.” Jürgen Brust responded: “For the engineers and development staff at BERU, the continuous optimisation of our direct pressure monitoring system remains a permanent challenge. The lasting success of the product is also shown by the fact that we have already introduced the third generation of the system.”

17th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

RMA Outlines Its NTSW Events

(Akron/Tire Review) The RMA says it has a full schedule of events planned around the upcoming 2007 National Tire Safety Week, Apr. 22-28. Some of the events precede the scheduled NTSW.

RMA said that more than 17,000 tyre retailers – tyre dealers, mass merchants, discount chains and auto dealers – plan to participate in NTSW, and will be passing our brochures, holding tyre safety events, offering free tyre checks and more.

During the week of Apr. 16, RMA, Goodyear and Wal-Mart are co-sponsoring tyre care and safety events in Cincinnati, Atlanta, Jacksonville, Houston and Dallas. On Apr. 21-22, all Wal-Mart Tire and Lube Express locations will likely offer free tyre pressure check lanes, and Sam’s Club locations will offer Be Tire Smart brochures.

16th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

South African Govt. “Not Interested” in Tyre Safety

According to a representative from South Africa’s SA Tyre Recycling Process Company, the nation’s Department of Transport and the South African Bureau of Standards are “not interested” in setting standards to ensure that all second-hand tyres sold are safe. This apparent lack of interest comes despite statistics showing approximately 25 per cent of all road accidents in South Africa are caused by sub-standard tyres.

Speaking at a waste management summit in Cape Town, Etienne Human from the SA Tyre Recycling Process Company made reference to the results a recent survey. These results indicated that 80 per cent of tyres were unfit for further service when removed from a vehicle. However instead of being scrapped many of these tyres were instead re-sold, often at the side of the road, and quickly resumed their working life on South African roads.

16th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

New Vans and New Look for Kwik-Fleet Mobile

Kwik-Fit’s newest mobile vans have hit the road featuring a revamped livery that is also being rolled out across the company’s fast-fit centres nationwide. The first of 23 new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans joining the 200-strong mobile fleet in the next three months is now in service displaying the new blue, white and yellow livery and Kwik-Fit logo.

The Sprinters are all 3.5 tonne 2.2 litre 311 CDI medium wheel base, hi-roof vehicles featuring the latest tyre changing technology. The new vehicles are equipped with ‘third arms’ – meaning that ultra-low profile and run-flat tyres can be replaced where the driver wants – home or work – alleviating the necessity of having to take their vehicle to a Kwik-Fit centre. The mobile units are also equipped with the latest wheel balancing machines, giving technicians the ability to fit up to 22-inch tyres – the current maximum is 20 inches – and, to improve health and safety, the on-board compressor is now driven by power take-off units via the vehicle’s engine instead of a separate generator.

4th April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors

ACCC Plans Support of NTSW

(Akron/Tire Review) American Car Care Centers said it will again “actively support” the Rubber Manufacturers Association’s annual National Tire Safety Week. The sixth National Tire Safety Week is slated for Apr. 22-28.

The annual event is part of RMA’s “Be Tire Smart – Play Your PART” program, launched in the aftermath of the Ford-Firestone tire recalls in 2000. NTSW gives tyre retailers an opportunity to communicate with customers about the importance tyre maintenance plays in vehicle and highway safety.

2nd April 2007/by Tyrepress Editors