TyreSafe, the tyre safety organisation, has been awarded the Prince Michael International Road Safety Award in recognition of its achievements in raising awareness about the dangers associated with driving on defective and worn tyres.

TyreSafe is now in its third year and since its inception has helped reduce the number of deaths on the UK’s roads from tyre-related accidents, as reported by the Department for Transport, from 44 in 2006, to 34 in 2008.

The number of reported casualties from accidents where illegal, defective or under-inflated tyres were a contributory factor has also reduced significantly from 1580 in 2006 to 894 in 2008.

“It’s a fantastic honour to have been awarded this distinguished accolade,” said Stuart Jackson, chairman, TyreSafe.

“Despite being just three years old, the activities of TyreSafe really demonstrate what can be achieved when an industry rallies together.

"We continue to spread our messages about tyre safety to a wider audience in an increasingly engaging manner and we hope these efforts will result in an even greater reduction of tyre related accidents.”