Tread carefully this autumn – National Highways calls on motorists to check their tyres before long journeys

More than half (55%) of UK drivers do not always check their tyre tread before a long journey, new research from National Highways reveals as its new autumn safety campaign is launched. 

In addition, more than a fifth (21%) of those who take long journeys and have broken down on the motorway, think their breakdown could have been avoided if they had conducted proper tyre checks before setting off. 

Last year, there were more than 51,500 tyre-related breakdowns on England’s motorways and major A-roads, an increase of 14% since 2022. During October last year there were 4,053 tyre-related breakdowns, averaging around 131 incidents per day.  

This autumn National Highways has joined forces with Kwik Fit to spread potentially lifesaving safety tips. These include encouraging drivers to check both the tread and pressure of their tyres to avoid unnecessary breakdowns and reduce the risk of collisions. 

As the weather changes, drivers are reminded to have a safe TRIP: (top-up, rest, inspect and prepare).  The handy acronym is a checklist: 

Top-up – fuel, water and oil 

Rest – every two hours 

Inspect – tyres and lights 

Prepare – plan your journey ahead and check the traffic and weather forecasts 

Head of National Road User Safety at National Highways Matt Staton said:  

"These statistics are a stark reminder of the importance of tyre safety, particularly ahead of long journeys. Breakdowns caused by tyre issues are not only inconvenient but can also be dangerous for both the driver and other road users.

“We’re urging drivers to take a few minutes to check their tyre tread and pressure before setting off. It’s a small step that can make a big difference to your safety on the roads.” 

Minister for the Future of Roads, Lilian Greenwood said: “Road safety is absolutely vital and National Highway’s TRIP campaign is an important reminder to everyone to check their tyres before they set off on long journeys to protect themselves and other road users. This Government will make our roads even safer by delivering a new Road Safety Strategy – the first in over decade.”

The main reason given by drivers for not checking tyre tread ahead of a long journey is forgetfulness (29%) and 24% assume they do not need to check because it’s covered in their annual MOT or service.

When it comes to checking tyre pressure, 16% of UK drivers do not feel confident checking their own wheels, and one in ten (9%) say they don’t have time to check. 

Kwik Fit’s communications director Roger Griggs said:  

“While punctures are sometimes unavoidable, many tyre problems can be prevented with the correct maintenance.  Drivers should regularly check tread depth and pressures, particularly ahead of long journeys.  Having sufficient grip is even more important in wet weather, and this will be severely compromised by low tread or incorrect inflation. Technology can provide drivers with an increasing range of safety features in their car, but the most critical factor will always be the ability to steer and stop effectively.”  

Tyre Safety Tips: 

• Check your tyre tread: Ensure the tread depth meets the legal minimum of 1.6mm. If in doubt, use the ‘20p test’ – place a 20p coin into the tread; if the outer band of the coin is visible, your tyres may be unsafe. Failure to comply can result in £2,500 fine and up to three points on your license for each tyre below the limit.  

• Check your tyre pressure: Refer to your vehicle handbook for the correct pressure and check tyres when they are cold for accurate results. 

• Inspect for damage: Regularly look for cuts, bulges, or objects embedded in your tyres. 

• Tyre Check: Kwik – Fit offers free no obligation tyre checks for those concerned about the condition of their tyres.  

Notes to Editors

• All data, unless otherwise stated, is from Walnut Unlimited, the human understanding agency, part of Accenture Song. Source: Walnut Omnibus, a nationally representative omnibus survey of 1,764 adults across England between 20^th – 23^rd September 2024 The figures have been weighted and are representative of all England adults (aged 18+).
• Statistics on breakdowns comes from National Highways Control Works data.