October marks the start of National Tyre Safety Month – an annual event designed to raise awareness of the importance of regularly checking the condition of your car’s tyres. If you think your tyres overdue for a check-up, October is a great month to do it, as there will be plenty of events up and down the country where you can do just that for free, and might pick up some advice on making motoring cheaper while you’re at it.
National Tyre Safety Month is run by TyreSafe, which recently issued a release stating that last year, there were 194 casualties on Britain’s roads as a result of dangerous, illegal or under-inflated tyres. Although this represents a reduction of five per cent on the year before, TyreSafe says there is still plenty of work to be done to encourage motorists to stop and think about whether their tyres are in good condition.
“As the nights start to draw in and the weather deteriorates, it’s essential that drivers ensure that their tyres are safe and fit for the winter ahead,” said TyreSafe chairman Stuart Jackson. “The most basic inspection, which should be carried out at least once a month, is simply checking that your tyres are properly inflated. Of course, tread depth and tyre condition are also important but to help drivers make these assessments, thousands of garages will be offering free safety checks throughout the month.”
Here are a few of the events and participating groups lined up for National Tyre Safety Month – you might be able to find more in your local area. Alternatively, if you want more information about correct tread depth, air pressure and more, Evan Halshaw’s tyre safety page covers all the most important information.
Giti Tyre
Giti Tyre is offering customer information packs at all 220 of its GT Radial Performance Centres around the UK. Drivers can search for their nearest centre on the company’s site, and the centres have been issued with posters, leaflets, a short animation and film to raise awareness of the importance of regular tyre maintenance. “In addition to the packs our GTPCs will also be getting involved with all kinds of initiatives, working with bodies such as the police and local schools to talk to the public about tyre safety and demonstrate the fundamentals of ensuring that their tyres are safe and efficient for everyday motoring,” said Jenny Leeson, UK marketing manager for Giti Tire.
Arnold Clark
Car dealer Arnold Clark will be offering free tyre safety checks at its 145 dealerships throughout October. Customers can also take a look at a variety of tyre safety advice and materials, including guides from staff on how to check for the correct pressure. “We’re delighted to join forces with TyreSafe and help to educate and inform our customers about the importance of looking after their tyres, which play a crucial role in a vehicle’s safety,” said Dougie Smart, group tyre manager at Arnold Clark.
Jeff Fowkes wheels
This Leicestershire-based business is not only spreading the message of Tyre Safety Month with leaflets and posters – it’s also got involved by promoting a catchy song about tyre safety on local radio! The company is also offering a Lady Drivers Evening as part of the month-long campaign. “What better exposure for ‘Check Your Pressure’ than being played on a local radio station,” said Grace Fowkes of Jeff Fowkes Wheels. “It’s a great way to highlight tyre safety in a fun and engaging manner.”
Halfords Autocentres
Halfords’ 290 Autocentres around the UK will be joining in with Tyre Safety Month, offering free tyre safety checks as part of the campaign. “The decision to join TyreSafe was a natural extension for us. We are therefore delighted to be involved with tyre safety month and offering all car owners a free tyre health check at any Autocentre in the UK,” said Halford Autocentres marketing manager Rory Carlin.
TyreSafe Awards
Tyre safety isn’t just for October – something TyreSafe wants to drive home with its inaugural awards ceremony this year. Due to take place at St Johns Hotel, Solihull on November 20th, the first TyreSafe Awards will recognise the achievements of companies and organisations in eight categories, including the Independent Garage, Vehicle Manufacturer and Safety in the Community awards. If you know an organisation or group that deserves to be recognised, you can nominate them before November 1st. “We’ve made the entry process as simple as possible as we want as many of our fantastic supporters to get involved,” said TyreSafe chairman Stuart Jackson.
