10 million illegal tyres on UK roads

There are over 10 million illegal tyres on UK roads each year, while tyre defects have contributed to more than 5,300 fatalities in the last five years.

In light of these figures, Ring, a European lighting and automotive aftermarket specialist, has become a supporter of TyreSafe.

TyreSafe is a charity dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of correct tyre maintenance and the dangers of defective and illegal tyres. As a supporter, Ring will help spread the key messages of TyreSafe’s campaigns and support the charity in its ongoing awareness raising.

In the past five years, tyre defects have contributed to over 3,000 road accidents in the UK, resulting in over 5,300 casualties, with an estimated cost to the UK economy of £461m. Each year, there are over 10 million illegal tyres on vehicles in the UK. As well as ensuring safety, motorists with properly maintained tyres can also improve fuel efficiency, helping saving money and cut CO₂ emissions.

Henry Bisson, marketing manager at Ring, said, ‘Tyres are the only point of contact with the road, so it’s vital that motorists understand how to maintain them properly. As such, the work TyreSafe does to raise awareness of the issues and educate drivers is essential and we’re delighted to offer our support to their ongoing campaigns.’

Stuart Jackson, chairman, TyreSafe, added, ‘TyreSafe is delighted to welcome Ring, as our supporters’ role is vital in helping to raise awareness of our potentially life-saving message. We’ll be working with them and all our supporters to continue to educate motorists on the importance of tyre safety and how a routine of tyre checks can reduce their risks on the roads, as well as save money and cut CO₂ emissions.’