A recent survey commissioned by Apollo Tyres has shed light on European motorists' attitudes towards dealing with tyre punctures at the roadside. The findings reveal a clear majority of drivers are hesitant to take matters into their own hands when faced with a flat tyre situation.
Out of the 6,000 motorists polled, only 46% indicated they would attempt to use the car's supplied spare tyre or inflation kit in case of a puncture. Surprisingly, a larger proportion (32%) stated they would rather call on a vehicle breakdown service for assistance, while 16% would seek help from a family member, friend, or colleague.
The survey also brought attention to a significant issue - 11% of respondents were uncertain whether their vehicles were even equipped with a spare tyre or emergency tyre inflation kit. Among this group, younger drivers between the ages of 18 and 24 were most likely to admit they had never checked their vehicle for this essential feature (16%), compared to just 8% of those over the age of 65.
Interestingly, the data also showed that older motorists were more inclined to take matters into their own hands. Around 52% of drivers aged 55 to 64 expressed their willingness to use a spare tyre or inflation kit, in contrast to 45% of younger drivers aged 18 to 24. Moreover, the survey highlighted a gender divide, with 62% of men willing to handle a puncture themselves, compared to only 34% of women.
Apollo Tyres' premium Vredestein tyres for passenger cars, manufactured in Europe, are designed with multiple layers of reinforced materials that offer superior resistance to cuts and penetration by sharp objects. Yves Pouliquen, Group Head of Sales and Marketing at Apollo Tyres, emphasized the importance of equipping motorists with the necessary knowledge and tools to continue their journey in situations where contacting assistance may not be possible.
Given that the survey points to a hesitancy among younger drivers to tackle punctures independently, Pouliquen suggests implementing guidance on dealing with such situations as part of the learning-to-drive process, with an assessment of this knowledge incorporated into the driving test procedure.
