Tyre safety warning: urgent action needed as UK road casualties stall
Tyre safety by Stephen Buckley, Sales Manager – Fleetmaxx Solutions Burnley
When the government released the 2024 road casualty statistics for Great Britain, the figures told a story we’ve been hearing for too long – road safety progress has stalled. Fatalities and Killed or Seriously Injured (KSI) numbers have barely shifted in over 15 years, despite advances in vehicle technology, stricter regulations, and countless campaigns.
But buried within the report is an even more alarming truth: tyre safety remains one of the biggest threats on UK roads, with tyre-related casualties stubbornly high, and in some cases, getting worse.
Why tyre safety matters
Tyres are the only point of contact between a vehicle and the road. Poorly maintained or defective tyres compromise braking, grip, and handling – directly leading to accidents that could otherwise be prevented.
TyreSafe Chair, Stuart Lovatt, summed it up starkly:
“We remain deeply concerned at the continued stagnation in the 5-year average for tyre-related KSIs. The figures for 2022 (152), 2023 (151), and 2024 (153) clearly demonstrate that more needs to be done. The 2024 figure of 172 tyre-related KSIs is especially alarming, as it is 9 higher than the 5-year average and represents a significant step backwards.”
The worrying safety statistics
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Powered two-wheelers – 36 tyre-related KSIs in 2024, a 24% increase on 2023, and the highest figure in a decade.
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Car occupants – the 5-year average for tyre-related KSIs is stuck at 102, with the 2024 figure coming in 5 higher than that average.
These statistics highlight the urgent need for improved tyre checks, tyre safety awareness, and stronger enforcement.
A national approach to tyre safety is essential
Last year, TyreSafe was included in RoSPA’s National Accident Prevention Strategy, marking a shift in recognition that illegal and poorly maintained tyres are a major, preventable risk on UK roads. Millions of vehicles are running on tyres that do not meet minimum safety standards.
TyreSafe is calling for tyre defects to be formally addressed within the government’s forthcoming Road Safety Strategy. Stronger enforcement, better education, and robust tyre safety campaigns are required to reverse these unacceptable trends.
Tyre safety in fleet operations: prevention starts daily
For businesses operating vans, HGVs, or mixed fleets, tyre safety should be a daily priority. Tyres are critical to safety, fuel efficiency, and compliance. Regular inspections are not optional – they’re a legal requirement under DVSA rules.
That’s why at Fleetmaxx Solutions, we support our customers with CheckedSafe – a DVSA-approved drivers’ daily walk-round app that makes tyre safety checks and vehicle inspections simple, consistent, and fully compliant.
CheckedSafe: the smart way to manage tyre safety checks
CheckedSafe transforms outdated paper checks into a fast and reliable digital process.
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Simple app – drivers complete their tyre safety and vehicle checks via smartphone or tablet.
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Real-time reporting – results are instantly uploaded to a secure cloud dashboard.
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Fault logging – tyre defects can be photographed, noted, and sent to fleet managers immediately.
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Audit-ready compliance – data is stored and exportable in PDF or Excel for inspections and KPI monitoring.
All this for just £1 per vehicle per week – with a 30-day free trial.
Benefits of using CheckedSafe for tyre safety
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Ensures daily tyre safety checks are carried out.
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Reduces the risk of fines, roadside stops, or compliance failures.
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Identifies tyre defects early, preventing costly repairs or accidents.
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Saves time and money by eliminating paper processes.
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Protects drivers, vehicles, and the public.
Drivers’ legal responsibility for tyre safety
It’s important to remember that both drivers and operators share responsibility for vehicle roadworthiness.
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Daily walk-round checks, including tyres, have been mandatory since 1995.
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Drivers may be fined or prosecuted if defects are not reported.
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Vehicle operators risk invalidating insurance if tyre defects are ignored.
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A driver’s licence – and livelihood – depends on keeping vehicles roadworthy.
Tyre safety: time for urgent action
TyreSafe is right – the UK cannot accept another decade of stagnant or rising tyre-related casualties. Tyres may not attract as much attention as drink-driving or speeding, but they remain one of the most critical safety concerns on our roads.
For fleet operators, tyre safety is in your control. By empowering drivers with tools like CheckedSafe from Fleetmaxx Solutions, you can ensure every vehicle leaves the depot in safe, roadworthy condition – protecting your drivers, your business, and the public.
Start your free 30-day trial of CheckedSafe today and put tyre safety at the heart of your fleet compliance.
