As the summer season draws more drivers to the scenic routes of Great Britain’s rural roads, TyreSafe is highlighting the pressing need for increased tyre safety awareness.  A recent report by the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC), highlights that rural roads remain the most dangerous type of roads in the UK, accounting for a staggering 59% of all road deaths in 2022. This translates to over 10,100 fatalities on rural roads over the past decade.

While there has been a reported 2.5% reduction in road deaths across all road types over the last ten years, the alarming truth is that the number of fatalities on rural roads has shown no significant decrease. In 2022 alone, 1,711 road deaths were recorded in Great Britain, with rural road fatalities comprising a substantial proportion. Car drivers and passengers were involved in 55% of these tragic incidents, while motorcyclists accounted for 24%.

Challenges of Driving on Rural Roads

Driving on rural roads presents unique challenges that demand greater attention and caution from all road users. These roads often feature limited lighting, sharp and blind bends, oncoming traffic on narrow lanes, and large farming vehicles. Additional hazards include potholes, road debris, reduced visibility, and slippery surfaces, particularly in wet conditions. These factors when combined with with national speed limits (60mph) make rural roads particularly hazardous, especially during the busy summer travel and harvest season. The importance of performing basic tyre checks cannot be underestimated. According to TyreSafe’s own tread depth survey, there are an estimated 6 million tyres with illegal tread on the roads in the UK meaning a significant proportion of vehicles may be compromised before they even set off.

TyreSafe’s Recommendations

TyreSafe urges drivers to prioritise tyre maintenance as a critical component of road safety. Ensuring optimal tyre performance is essential for safe braking and cornering, as tyres are the only contact point between a vehicle and the road surface. TyreSafe has developed its ACT messages to help remind drivers of the simple checks they can perform to help ensure their safety and the safety of other road users.

Air pressure – 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 drivers adjust the pressures to accommodate the load they are carrying. These settings can be found in the vehicle handbook, on reputable internet tyre pressure charts such as the one at tyresafe.org, and often 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, the driver should seek professional advice immediately.

Tread – drivers 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.

“As more people hit the roads this summer, it’s crucial to remember that tyre safety is key to a safe journey,” said Stuart Lovatt, TyreSafe Chair. “Rural roads are often narrower and can be especially dangerous due to the higher speed limits, historical road alignment and  restricted visibility and so we urge all drivers to ensure their tyres are in top condition before setting off.”

As the rural roads experience increased usage from both holiday travellers and the rural farming community during the harvest season, TyreSafe emphasises the importance of proactive tyre checks and maintenance. By taking these simple yet effective precautions, drivers can significantly reduce the risk of incidents and contribute to safer journeys for everyone.