TyreSafe has called on the UK government to urgently address tyre safety in parallel with any rollout of advanced vehicle safety technology, following new Department for Transport (DfT) data showing a 1% rise in road deaths and a 9% increase in motorcyclist fatalities in 2024. The figures mark the first overall increase in fatalities since 2017, excluding pandemic-affected years.
The Daily Mail recently reported that ministers are considering mandatory inclusion of EU-style Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) on all new vehicles sold in the UK. These systems may include Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA), Emergency Lane Keeping Systems (ELKS), and Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB).
While TyreSafe supports the introduction of these systems, Chair Stuart Lovatt said their effectiveness will be “severely compromised” if fundamental issues like tyre safety are ignored. “It has now been 15 years since we saw a significant drop in fatalities from the previous year,” Lovatt stated. “We urge the government and DfT to consider the critical case for action to address the numbers of vehicles on our roads with illegal and unsafe tyres.”
TyreSafe warns that underinflated, worn, or damaged tyres can significantly limit a vehicle’s ability to respond to emergency systems, reducing braking performance and grip. This is particularly critical for ADAS, which rely on tyres performing correctly to carry out collision avoidance or lane control commands effectively.
The charity highlighted the knock-on impact this can have on vulnerable road users. Motorcyclists, who are more exposed and less protected by vehicle safety features, saw a notable rise in fatalities — a trend TyreSafe believes may worsen if surrounding vehicles are unable to manoeuvre or stop properly due to poor tyre condition.
TyreSafe is now calling for greater public awareness of tyre maintenance and its direct impact on road safety. It recommends that drivers carry out regular checks of tyre pressure, tread depth, and overall condition — particularly as vehicles become more reliant on onboard safety systems.
The organisation argues that without a parallel focus on tyre safety, the government’s forthcoming road safety strategy risks failing to deliver its full potential in reducing fatalities and serious injuries on UK roads.
The integration of ADAS technologies in vehicles is a significant advancement in automotive safety, but their real-world performance is intrinsically tied to basic vehicle conditions, especially tyre health. As the UK moves towards more tech-enabled mobility, tyre safety must remain a foundational priority. Failing to address tyre neglect could blunt the impact of high-tech solutions and stall safety gains, particularly in high-risk sectors like motorcycling and urban transport.
Tagged with: tyre safety, ADAS, road safety UK, TyreSafe, motorcyclist fatalities, unroadworthy tyres, Department for Transport, tyre checks, AEB, ISA, ELKS
Disclaimer: This content may include forward-looking statements. Views expressed are not verified or endorsed by Tyre News Media.
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