TyreSafe, the UK’s tyre safety charity, is running its ‘Keep Your Tyres in Good ‘Elf’ campaign for a second year this December. The initiative features Santa’s elves performing a range of tyre checks and providing fun and engaging reminders about the importance of road safety during the festive period. In 2023, the ‘Keep Your Tyres in Good ‘Elf’ campaign appeared on bus backs, websites, and social media thanks to the participation of TyreSafe supporters. Winter driving poses heightened risks, from slippery surfaces to heavier vehicle loads. While light-hearted in approach, the campaign emphasises a critical message – road users must ACT on tyre safety.
Shockingly, 1 in 5 drivers never check their tyres, and this number rises to 3 in 5 among younger drivers. Additionally, over 6 million tyres on UK roads have illegal tread each year, potentially resulting in fines of up to £2,500 per tyre and three penalty points.
- Airpressure – The air pressure of each tyre should also be checked using an accurate gauge. Typically, car manufacturers recommend two different tyre pressures, one for light loads and another for when the vehicle is fully loaded. It’s essential that road users adjust the pressures to accommodate the load they are carrying. These settings can be found in the vehicle handbook, and in the vehicle’s fuel filler cap or door sill.
- Condition– with a visual check, looking at the overall condition of each tyre to see if anything might have penetrated the tread, such as nails or other objects. If any of these objects, cracks or bulges are present, road users should seek professional advice immediately.
- Tread– drivers and riders should check the tread of their tyres to ensure they are above the UK legal tread depth minimum of 1.6mm. Ideally an accurate tread depth gauge should be used but if this is not available, a 20p coin can be used as a guide. Insert the 20p into the main sections of the tyre and at various points around the circumference – should you see the outer rim at any point, you need to have the tread depth checked as it may be illegal.
The impact goes beyond road safety alone, as, according to TyreSafe, £1 billion in fuel is wasted annually in the UK due to underinflated tyres, which can also lead to premature wear and the need for early replacements. In addition, the DVSA reports that more than 2 million MOT failures per year are caused by tyre defects, with a 1.1 million classified as dangerous. Tyres are the leading cause of MOT failures within the first seven years of a vehicle’s life.
Tyre related incidents can also impose a significant, and often avoidable burden on the UK economy. National Highways report that tyre-related breakdowns account for approximately 51,500 breakdowns on the UK’s motorways and A-roads.
But most shockingly, the Department for Transport – Reported Road Casualties GB Report September 2024 revealed that 190 people are killed or seriously injured annually in tyre defect-related incidents, a statistic that rivals incidents caused by mobile phone use, and in increase of 29% on the previous year.
To amplify the campaign’s reach, TyreSafe invites supporters to participate in sharing the elves’ tyre safety message using hashtags #GoodElfTyres and #ElfApprovedTyres. Organisations can also host ‘Free Tyre ‘Elf Checks’ throughout December to spread the gift of tyre safety to customers, loved ones, and friends.
Stuart Lovatt, Chair of TyreSafe, said, “Ensuring safe tyres is one of the best gifts you can give this Christmas. The return of ‘Keep Your Tyres in Good ‘Elf’ is both a fun and meaningful way to remind road users about tyre safety, particularly during winter’s challenging conditions. We’re excited to see how this campaign will spark conversations and action on tyre safety across the country.”
For further information on how to participate in TyreSafe’s ‘Keep Your Tyres in Good ‘Elf’ campaign, please visit tyresafe.org.
