Tyre Safety Month 2016 has started with positive news from the Department for Transport’s (DfT) Reported Road Casualties Great Britain analysis. It revealed a 44% reduction in casualties resulting from tyre-related incidents on Britain’s roads since 2006.

2015’s data shows a 28% decrease in the number of people killed or seriously injured in tyre-related incidents with total casualties falling by 16.2% when compared with 2014 figures.

TyreSafe is urging drivers not to be complacent and ensure they carry out regular tyre checks. Despite the casualty rates falling there is no evidence that the number of tyre-related incidents, which do not result in fatalities or injury is decreasing, as this data is not captured in the DfT’s report.

There is evidence that the number of illegal tyres on Britain’s roads this year will remain at 10 million or even increase. Driving with illegal tyres not only leaves the driver vulnerable to a £2,500 fine and three-point penalty but also far more likely to be involved in an incident.

Stuart Jackson, chairman of TyreSafe, said: “Tyres are a safety critical component on any vehicle and the only one in contact with the road, and while modern vehicles give occupants a far greater chance of surviving a collision – even walking away uninjured – well-maintained tyres will significantly reduce the risk of being involved in an incident in the first place. That’s why Tyre Safety Month’s message this year is ‘don’t chance it – check it’.”

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