Northern Ireland has the highest proportion of illegal tyres, with 36.5% of vehicles checked recording tyres below legal standards. This finding comes from a survey of over 340,000 tyres replaced at 819 retail outlets across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, compiled by TyreSafe.
The average proportion of illegal tyres at the point of replacement across the UK was 27.3%. Variations between the four countries were notable: Wales recorded 29.1%, while Northern Ireland had the highest at 36.5%. Scotland’s proportion was close to the UK average at 27.4%, and England had the lowest at 26.8%.
Speaking during the Tyre Safety Month Briefing, TyreSafe Chairman Stuart Jackson revealed that the survey, conducted by TyreSafe in partnership with Highways England, found that more than 27% of tyres were already illegal when they were replaced. This figure represents over one-in-four of the 37 million cars and light commercial vehicles (LCVs) on the UK’s roads.
Stuart Jackson, Chairman of TyreSafe, said: ‘The tread depth survey results are concerning. Figures from the Department for Transport show that dangerous tyres are the largest single contributory factor in accidents resulting in casualties, surpassing even brake defects. To reduce the number of casualties from tyre-related incidents, UK motorists must change their attitude towards this critical safety feature and regularly check their tyres to ensure they are roadworthy.
The concern extends beyond the number of illegal tyres at the point of replacement to include those that were below 2mm – with some having just 0.4mm remaining (half the thickness of a bank card) before reaching the 1.6mm legal minimum. Although a tyre may be legal at this point, its remaining lifespan and distance it can safely cover are hard to predict and can only be confirmed through regular checks. TyreSafe’s research reveals that one in five drivers have never checked their tyres, and the majority of others do not do so regularly.
“The clear takeaway is that while one in four tyres are illegal at replacement, an additional 43% are replaced before reaching 1.6mm more by chance than by careful judgment.
Stuart Lovatt, Safety Action Plan Coordinator, said: “Safety is our top priority, and we are pleased to have partnered with TyreSafe for this innovative and comprehensive survey on the state of UK tyres. We will continue to support TyreSafe in raising awareness about the critical role tyres play in ensuring safe and incident-free journeys.”
However, a concerning trend has emerged regarding tyres that were illegal and/or below 2mm at the point of replacement. On average, 70.4% of tyres across the UK fell into this category, showing consistency across the home nations. This represents an increase from last year’s survey, which found 66% of tyres in this condition. If this trend continues, TyreSafe warns that more dangerous and illegal tyres will be on UK roads in 2017.
The results also indicate that the North West is the worst region in the UK for tyres removed past the legal limit, with 31% of the 61,013 tyres sampled in the North West being below 1.6mm. Additionally, the North West ranked second in the 2mm and below category, with 70.8% of tyres sampled at or below 2mm at the point of change.
Padraic Deane, TyreSafe, July 13, 2016
