The role of tyres in road safety has been brought into sharp focus with their inclusion in the newly released ‘Safer Lives, Stronger Nation: The National Accident Prevention Strategy (NAPS) Report’. This landmark report, released yesterday, emphasises that vehicle defects are an underappreciated and underreported cause of road collisions, underscoring the critical need for action.
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The Strategy highlights a concerning reality: the UK faces over 20,000 preventable fatalities annually due to road accidents, putting immense pressure on the NHS and the economy. A significant portion of these accidents can be attributed to poorly maintained vehicles, with tyres standing out as a critical yet often overlooked component.
According to TyreSafe, more than 6.1 million tyres on UK roads are found with illegal tread depth annually, while the DVSA reports over two million MOT failures linked to defective tyres—half of which are categorised as ‘dangerous’. Poor tyre maintenance can drastically impact braking, handling, and safety, turning routine drives into potential hazards.
TyreSafe, a member of the National Road Safety Committee, supports the report's call for the creation of a Road Safety Investigation Branch (RSIB) under the Department for Transport. This branch would have significant powers to investigate road deaths, focusing on identifying serious vehicle defects as contributing factors.
Stuart Lovatt, Chair of TyreSafe, expressed the organisation’s commitment to the Strategy’s objectives:
"The inclusion of tyres in the National Accident Prevention Strategy and focus on vehicle defects represents a pivotal shift in road safety policy. Tyres are the only contact point between a vehicle and the road; their condition is paramount. We welcome the proposal to establish the RSIB, to better investigate vehicle defects in serious incidents and urge continued collaboration to educate drivers and enforce regulations."
While legal requirements for tyre maintenance exist, public awareness remains limited. The Strategy emphasises the need to educate drivers and enforce regulations regarding tyre safety. TyreSafe is actively working alongside industry partners and government bodies to support these goals, advocating for heightened awareness and stronger enforcement to ensure safer roads across the UK.
In support of the report, RoSPA has shared a supporters’ pack featuring the full report, key findings, and templates to help raise awareness among local governments and communities. The pack, along with the ‘Safer Lives, Stronger Nation’ campaign, offers tools to promote road safety and implement the Strategy's recommendations.
For further details, including the full report, visit the ‘Safer Lives, Stronger Nation’ campaign page.
