Bridgestone has come up with a timely New Year Resolution suggestion for Welsh motorists, after more than half failed to recognise an ‘extremely serious’ risk associated with illegal tyre usage. 

The tyre manufacturer is urging drivers across the country to check their tyres regularly throughout 2024, after 56% of motorists didn’t regard driving on illegal tyres as being potentially life threatening, with only 13% describing them as the most important safety feature on their cars, according to latest research. 

A survey amongst 1,000 drivers across Wales revealed that despite tyres being the only contact points between a vehicle and the road – and responsible for 159 deaths or serious injuries from defective tyres related accidents2 – 81% admitted to never checking their tyres for signs of wear or damage.

The Bridgestone results tie in with a recording of 4,596 total casualties from tyre-related incidents on roads in the past years and there being in the region of 10 million illegal tyres on Britan’s roads each year. With all this in mind, Bridgestone’s North Region Vice President Andrea Manenti has come up with a New Year Resolution suggestion.

He said: “Regular tyre checks, preferably once a fortnight, is a great resolution, as it can be the difference between life and death.

“Periodically check traction, or available grip, when driving in challenging conditions. Apply the brakes with moderate pressure to determine the available grip and modify your driving, if needed, to respond to ever-changing road conditions.

“The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm. Insert a 20p coin in the tread; if you can see the border, it’s time to change the tyres. Thereafter, maximise available grip by separating driving manoeuvres when negotiating a curve. Brake to an appropriate speed while travelling in a straight line prior to a curve. This allows you to use all the available grip for negotiating the curve. Accelerate gradually when you are able to straighten the steering wheel at the exit of the turn.

Bridgestone’s New Year’s Resolution suggestion represents part of its mission to continue to provide social and customer value as a sustainable solutions company. It also embodies Bridgestone’s E8 Commitment – a set of eight commitments (Energy, Ecology, Efficiency, Extension, Economy, Emotion, Ease, Empowerment) which provide a compass to guide their strategic priorities, decision making and actions throughout every area of the business and operations.

Bridgestone’s road safety tips provides Ease, by bringing comfort and peace of mind to mobility life and Extension, by committing to nonstop mobility and innovation that keeps people and the world moving ahead.

For more information and advice about tyre safety from Bridgestone, visit https://promotion.bridgestone.co.uk/bridgestone-tyre-care-guide/.