Bridgestone is issuing a road safety plea ahead of the May half term, after its latest survey revealed that over a third of drivers in the UK won’t think to check their tyres – and half don’t know the legal tread limit.
With many schools being out from Monday (27th May) and more families expected to embark on longer road trips, Bridgestone’s questionnaire amongst 2,000 drivers highlighted a concerning disconnect between the acknowledged importance of tyre safety and the actual practices of vehicle owners.
The Bridgestone results tie in with a recording of and estimated 152 fatalities or serious accidents due to defective tyres in the last 12 months and there being an estimated 6.1 million illegal tyres on Britain’s roads each year.
In total, 50% of motorists were unaware of the legal tyre tread limit of 1.6mm, while 35% confessed to never thinking about checking their tyres at all. Of those motorists who did admit to checking their tyres, 61% said they do so less than once a month.
Encouragingly, the survey suggested that there is an awareness amongst motorists around the importance of tyre safety, even if best practices and good tyre husbandry isn’t being adhered to by the majority. Sixty-eight per cent of participants considered safety extremely important when purchasing new tyres, but 59% also said that price and value for money were extremely important factors in their decision making.
Bridgestone’s North Region Vice President Andrea Manenti said: “These survey results remind us of the need for increased education and awareness about tyre maintenance among British motorists,”
“While it’s heartening to see that a significant number of drivers acknowledge the importance of safety when buying new tyres, it’s equally important to ensure they are maintaining their tyres properly to keep themselves and others safe on the road.
“They are the only contact points between the car and the road surface, so a bit of time checking the treads and pressures can be all the difference between stopping safely and encountering a potentially dangerous incident.”
Bridgestone is committed to promoting tyre safety through a number of campaigns, including educational activities and free tyre check events. The company is urging motorists to follow these simple steps to improve tyre safety:
- Regular Inspections: Check tyre pressure and tread depth at least once a month and before long journeys.
- Understand Legal Limits: Become familiar with the legal tread depth limit of 1.6mm and ensure that each tyre meets this requirement.
- Seek Professional Advice: Have tyres inspected by a professional if motorists are unsure about their condition or if any damage is noticed.
Bridgestone is encouraging drivers to spread the word to their friends and loved ones, about the importance of your tyres to stay safe on the road with their campaign “Become a Bridgestone Road Safety Hero”, where they provide a digital postcard, reminding drivers that contact to the road is the equivalent to the size of four postcards and it is important to check your tyres regularly.
For more information about tyre safety and ways to stay safe on roads, visit https://promotion.bridgestone.co.uk/bridgestone-tyre-care-guide/
