Thousands Putting Lives at Risk in Bank Holiday Getaway

WINCHESTER - August 14, 2008: With 18 million motorists set to hit UK roads during the forthcoming bank holiday weekend, many are putting their lives at risk due to the failure to check their tyres before setting off. With the average journey over the bank holiday period now standing at 135 miles, and with motorists spending £110 million more on petrol compared to 2007, according to the AA motoring organisation, the need to maintain tyres in their correct condition is becoming ever more significant.

According to a survey commissioned by Protyre, only a worrying 34% of motorists always check their tyres, with drivers in North East England being the most safety conscious in the UK: Half of all motorists ensure that their tyres are up to standard. Conversely, Northern Ireland has the least number of people in the UK who perform a regular check (21%).

In contrast to the North, the South and Midlands regions of England care the least for their tyres, with over a third choosing to never look down at their wheels. London drivers and those aged between 18 to 24 fair no better, also being the least likely candidates to check for any problems.

There is however some consolation, says Protyre, as nearly half of all drivers (43%) sometimes pay attention to their tyres before departing on their vacation. According to the results of the study, men are more likely than women to reach for the airlines from time to time, scoring 47% and 39% respectively.

Commenting on the results, Phil Brookes, operations director at Protyre explains: “With such a small contact patch separating the vehicle from the road, tyres are a lifeline, and our results have shown that motorists remain oblivious to the safety implications of not keeping them in their correct condition. Unfortunately, there is still a long way to go in educating the public on the importance of tyres, which we are continuously working hard on. We urge all motorists to spend time on vehicle maintenance ahead of their departure this bank holiday.”