road safety

Britain’s rural roads can be beautiful, but they are also among the most demanding places to drive. Sharp bends, blind crests, narrow lanes, broken surfaces, mud, standing water and unexpected hazards such as tractors, cyclists, horse riders and pedestrians can all appear with little warning. That is why TyreSafe is urging drivers to make simple tyre checks part of their routine, especially before longer trips through the countryside.

Picture this. You walk into a salvage or public auto auction. Rows of vehicles stretch ahead. Prices look tempting. One buyer crouches near a front tire, studies the compound for thirty seconds and walks away without bidding. Later that car sells at a steep price. Three weeks on the new owner discovers the car needs new tires and geometry work. That buyer who walked knew exactly what to look for. A tyre carries a full story about a vehicle's past if you know how to read it.

New research from online used car retailer cinch reveals the escalating scale of Britain’s pothole crisis. Based on Freedom of Information (FOI) requests submitted to all 207 road‑maintaining authorities across Great Britain, the findings show that almost 5 million potholes have been repaired since 2022, with more than 3.3 million potholes reported by drivers in the same period. Of the authorities contacted, 172 responded, providing substantial insight into the growing pressures within the nation’s road network.

Tyres are one of the most critical yet often overlooked components of a vehicle. They are the only point of contact between a car and the road, directly affecting safety, fuel efficiency, and overall driving performance. Proper tyre maintenance not only extends tyre life but also ensures a smoother, safer driving experience in all weather conditions.

Maintaining your vehicle’s tyres is one of the most effective ways to stay safe on the road. Many drivers overlook simple tyre checks, yet these small tasks can stop major problems from developing. Routine inspections support safer driving conditions and help reduce unexpected expenses caused by tyre damage or failure. This post details spotting early signs of wear, preventing dangerous blowouts, and more. 

A joint study by The AA and TyreSafe, surveying over 22,000 UK drivers in May and July 2025, reveals a troubling lack of tyre safety awareness and poor maintenance habits. 61 per cent of respondents were unaware that driving on an illegal tyre could incur a fine of £2,500 per tyre, and 45 per cent did not know that each illegal tyre carries three penalty points: therefore, four illegal tyres could result in a driving ban. Only 65 per cent correctly identified the driver as legally responsible for tyre safety, while 34 per cent mistakenly believed it was the car owner.

Two major organisations in the UK tyre industry, TyreSafe and the National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA), have announced a new partnership aimed at improving road safety and raising awareness about tyre care. TyreSafe is a charity focused on tyre safety, while the NTDA represents more than 300 tyre businesses - accounting for around 2,000 points of sale - across the country.

TyreSafe is warning that just two illegal tyres could cost new drivers their licence in its new flagship Young Driver Campaign. The campaign coincides with the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s (NPCC) Operation Spotlight – a nationwide road safety operation targeting young drivers – running from 22 September to 5 October. The simple core message is that driving with unsafe or illegal tyres carries fines of up to £2,500 and three penalty points per tyre. For new drivers in their first two years on the road the six penalty points accrued for two unsafe tyres is enough for an automatic licence revocation.

UK tyre brand Davanti Tyres is encouraging drivers not to get complacent in checking the basic elements of a car, including tyres, as the weather turns autumnal. It says that many drivers rely on advanced safety features, like anti-lock braking and tyre pressure monitoring systems, to stay safe on the road. However, regular manual tyre checks remain essential for ensuring safety and legal compliance. As part of Tyre Safety Month, Davanti shares simple yet crucial tyre care tips to help motorists maintain tyre health and drive safely.