Tyre safety month
Tyre maintenance
TyreSafe has launched its annual flagship campaign aimed at raising awareness of the crucial importance of regular tyre maintenance in ensuring road safety. Tyre Safety Month, held throughout October, seeks to engage, educate, and encourage behaviour change, aligning with the charity’s vision of achieving ‘zero harm to road users due to illegal or poorly maintained tyres’.
What to check for
At the heart of the campaign is the ACT acronym, helping drivers and riders to perform basic tyre safety checks once a month, every month and before long journeys.
- Air Pressure: Highlighting the need to keep tyres adequately inflated to ensure optimal performance and fuel efficiency.
- Condition: Urging motorists to inspect their tyres regularly for any signs of damage, such as cuts, bulges, or other issues that might compromise safety.
- Tread: Stressing the importance of maintaining sufficient tread depth for effective grip and braking.
These three checks ‘form the foundation of proactive tyre maintenance and tyre husbandry’, empowering drivers and riders to take charge of their safety on the road.
Tyre maintenance advice article
Statistics about young drivers
According to new figures analysed by IAM RoadSmart, data from a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the DVLA reveals that, as of 1 June 2024, 1,128 DD40 (dangerous driving) endorsements have been issued to 17-25-year-olds, accounting for 38% of the total. In 2021, 1,585 drivers in this age group received DD40 endorsements, representing 27% of the total. By 2023, this number had risen to 1,928 endorsements, making up 36% of all issued.
Typically, these endorsements are issued for behaviours such as:
– speeding, racing, or aggressive driving
– disregarding traffic lights, road signs, or warnings from passengers
– overtaking in a dangerous manner
– driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs (including prescription medications)
– driving while unfit, such as having an injury, impaired vision, not taking prescribed medication, or feeling drowsy
– knowingly operating a vehicle with a dangerous fault or carrying an unsafe load
Distractions can also contribute to dangerous driving.
Nicholas Lyes, IAM RoadSmart’s director of policy and standards, stated: “There is clearly an issue with driving standards among younger drivers when they now represent well over a third of all new dangerous driving endorsements, despite making up only a small proportion of total licence holders.”
Young Driver Statistics article
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