TyreSafe is calling on the Government to launch a THINK! campaign as Year-on-Year KSI figures increase, emphasizing the urgent need for action.
TyreSafe Urges Government Action as KSI Figures Surge – THINK! Campaign Needed
The Department for Transport has released the latest ‘Reported Road Casualties Great Britain’ annual report for 2023. While there is a trend for a reduction in road casualties, the report details a concerning and significant increase in Killed or Seriously Injured (KSI) casualties linked to tyre-related incidents The year-on-year increase highlights a growing problem on our roads, underscoring the urgent need for more decisive action to address tyre safety.
The 2023 figures document a (29%) rise in KSI casualties compared to 2022 (from 147 to 190), the highest number of casualties due to tyre defects since 2018. This increase suggests that tyre safety remains a significant issue despite ongoing efforts, and more must be done to prevent avoidable deaths and injuries. Shockingly, this figure is on par with mobile phone-related casualties.
TyreSafe is also campaigning for statistics to better reflect the causational factors contributing to those killed or injured. Underreporting poses an ongoing challenge in understanding the accurate scale of the problem, with police forces and road safety organisations inconsistent in attending incidents and reporting on tyre conditions as a standard practice.
Stricter Regulations and Increased Awareness
TyreSafe is calling for immediate and comprehensive measures to combat this escalating problem. The organisation’s latest Case for Action emphasises the critical need for increased awareness, stricter enforcement of existing regulations, and adopting new safety standards.
Stuart Lovatt, Chair of TyreSafe, stated, “These figures are a stark reminder that we cannot afford to be complacent when it comes to tyre safety. The increase in KSI casualties is deeply troubling. It demonstrates that current efforts in both supporting road users to check their tyres, but also that reporting measures are insufficient to reflect the scale of the issue, which we know from our own research is vast. We must act now to prevent further tragedies on our roads.
“The increase in tyre-related KSI’s is a call to action to raise the level of debate and understanding of the impact of dangerous and unroadworthy tyres. With the cost-of-living crisis continuing to hit the nation’s pockets hard, TyreSafe will continue to campaign to see drivers and riders understand how they can reduce their risks of an incident. Now is the time for the Government to address this growing trend with more focus on tackling the rise in tyre-related vehicle defects, focus on improving compliance levels in this area, and launch a THINK! campaign to raise societal awareness of this dangerous trend.”
Calls for Enhanced Government Safety Campaigns to Prevent Accidents
TyreSafe urges all road users to prioritise regular tyre checks, including tread depth, pressure, and overall condition, to ensure their vehicles are safe to drive. The organisation also calls on the Government to enhance tyre safety campaigns and consider implementing new regulations to address this growing concern.
TyreSafe continues to advocate for road users to take tyre safety seriously and to recognise the critical role that well-maintained tyres play in preventing incidents and saving lives. The charity uses the acronym ACT, to help motorists perform basic tyre checks and maintenance once a month and before long journeys.
