TyreSafe, the UK’s only charity dedicated to raising awareness of tyre safety, has launched its annual Tyre Safety Month campaign. This October marks almost 20 years since TyreSafe first coined and championed Tyre Safety Month, which has since become the UK’s largest annual road safety initiative focused on tyres.
The 2025 theme, Under Pressure, highlights how everyday stress and financial worries are leading drivers to neglect simple tyre checks at precisely the time of year when they are most needed. October is statistically the UK’s wettest month, when stopping distances are at their most critical and tyre performance can be the difference between life and death.
The Scale of the Problem
Tyre-related incidents remain a serious and under-reported danger on UK roads:
- On average, 152 people are killed or seriously injured (KSI) every year in incidents caused by defective tyres, a figure on par with mobile phone-related crashes.
- In 2024, 172 people were killed or seriously injured in tyre-related incidents, 9 more than the five-year average. (DfT, Reported Road Casualties GB, Sept 2024).
- 75% of tyre defects in fatal crashes are due to basic lack of maintenance (National Highways/TRL).
- MOT results show more than 2 million vehicles fail annually due to tyre defects, with one million tyres deemed dangerous. Worryingly, 750,000, 36% of vehicles failing for tyres in 2023 had already received advisories which were ignored.
The performance risk is equally stark:
- At 70mph, worn tyres have 7 times more effect on stopping distances in the wet than alcohol (Cardiff University/Halfords).
- A worn tyre adds 27 metres or 28% to Highway Code stopping distances at motorway speeds (123m vs. 96m baseline).
- At 50mph, braking distances increase by 6.9m on tyres at the legal limit (1.6mm) compared to new tyres (8mm tread).
The financial impact is also severe, with £1 billion in fuel wasted each year due to under inflated tyres (Motor Ombudsman).
Findings from TyreSafe’s New Research
A survey conducted ahead of this year’s campaign reveals the effect stress is having on vehicle maintenance:
- 35% of drivers admit stress has affected their concentration while driving, with one in five experiencing a near miss as a result.
- 86% of drivers feel stressed or overwhelmed during the week, with students and younger drivers most likely to delay or avoid tyre checks.
- Less than half (46%) of drivers check tyre pressures monthly, as recommended. Instead, many wait for a warning light (16%) or assume tyres are fine (37%).
- Three in five drivers (61%) agree that knowing their tyres were correctly inflated would actually reduce stress while driving.
Stuart Lovatt, TyreSafe Chair, said “Twenty years ago, TyreSafe first introduced Tyre Safety Month to bring national attention to a subject that too often goes unnoticed. Two decades on, the problem is still with us—and in fact, casualties linked to illegal or poorly maintained tyres are rising.”
“Our latest research shows that stress and financial pressure are leading people to skip even the simplest of tyre checks. But with October bringing wet roads and longer stopping distances, now is the most important time to act.”
“Tyres shouldn’t be another source of stress—they should be your first line of defence. By following our ACT principle checking Air pressure, Condition and Tread, road users can save money, reduce anxiety, and most importantly, save lives.”
About the campaign
Throughout October, TyreSafe’s national network of over 220 supporters including police forces, fire services, councils, retailers, motoring organisations and businesses will roll out targeted campaign resources:
- Posters, social graphics, and video explainers tailored to all vehicle groups.
- Short social videos designed to reach younger, time-pressured drivers.
- Local events and tyre safety check days.
