The UK charity receives coveted global award for the second time since its inception in 2006.  

TyreSafe, the UK’s tyre safety charity, is proud to announce that it has been awarded the prestigious Prince Michael International Road Safety Award. This globally recognised accolade highlights TyreSafe’s dedication to achieving its vision of zero harm to road users as a result of poorly maintained or illegal tyres. The award marks a significant milestone, as TyreSafe approaches two decades of campaigning and is arguably undergoing its most progressive strategic shift and growth period.

The Prince Michael International Road Safety Awards are a coveted honour, awarded to organisations demonstrating outstanding achievements in road safety. This recognition comes during a pivotal time for TyreSafe, two years after the appointment of Stuart Lovatt as Chairman in 2022, a period that has seen the charity grow in both influence and impact.

The charity was recognised for its pioneering research strategy, providing irrefutable and robust evidence to support its case for action. The 2023 Tread Depth Survey, and the Post Collision Study, have enabled TyreSafe, in collaboration with other organisations, to quantify both the scale and impact of the problem of illegal and poorly maintained tyres. This year, this was enhanced to include comparison with the condition of tyres on vehicles randomly selected at roadside checks.  This research has led on to targeted campaigns to be developed working with the regions and Devolved Assemblies to highlight the risks in their specific area.

In addition, The Fatal Research Study using the National Highways database has highlighted the issues around using just KSI data from STATS19 in determining the case for action. This study also revealed 75% of the tyre defects which led to fatal incidents could have been prevented with appropriate maintenance as identified by the police forensic examiners.

TyreSafe’s work is driven by strong collaboration with more than 130 governmental, not-for-profit, road safety, and commercial organisations. This extensive network plays a critical role in amplifying TyreSafe’s message, allowing the charity to reach a broad audience of road users. Leveraging collective insights and data, TyreSafe creates impactful campaigns designed to keep tyre safety at the forefront of public awareness and central to road safety conversations, initiatives and enforcement.

However, the charity recognises that awareness alone is not enough. Real change requires a deeper, integrated approach to ensure drivers and riders not only understand the importance of tyre safety but also take consistent action to maintain their tyres. TyreSafe’s efforts are focused on facilitating and supporting tangible behavioural change, encouraging regular tyre checks and maintenance across all vehicle types and road users.

Stuart Lovatt, TyreSafe Chair, said, “We are truly honoured to receive this prestigious recognition. This award is a testament to the hard work and commitment of everyone involved with TyreSafe, from our supporters to our partners. It demonstrates our shared dedication to making the UK’s roads safer for everyone by promoting essential tyre safety practices. While we’ve made significant strides, our mission continues as we work towards achieving zero harm to road users.”

Mike Bourne, TyreSafe Trustee, added, “The Prince Michael International Road Safety Award is a remarkable achievement for TyreSafe and highlights the importance of our ongoing work. We’re a small team and rely solely on the contributions of our supporters to reach as many road users as possible. Through collaboration and targeted campaigns, we are driving the message that tyre safety is not just a responsibility but a critical element of road safety. We are committed to ensuring every road user understands the role they play in keeping our roads safe.”

As TyreSafe continues to grow its impact and lead on road safety, this award reinforces its commitment to reducing tyre-related incidents and nurturing a culture of proactive tyre maintenance. With ongoing support from its partners and stakeholders, the charity remains dedicated to ensuring tyre safety is a top priority for all road users.