Partnership will help raise awareness of tyre safety and its vital role in preventing road collisions and protecting lives
TyreSafe, the UK charity dedicated to improving tyre safety, is partnering with Mat MacDonald, West Midlands Road Safety Commissioner, to strengthen awareness of the role tyres play in keeping road users safe.
The partnership brings together TyreSafe’s expertise in tyre safety education and Mat MacDonald’s wider road safety work, including his experience as an NHS doctor supporting victims of road collisions and his previous role as chair of Better Streets for Birmingham, a group established to campaign for safer and better connected public spaces in the city.
As the UK’s first Road Safety Commissioner, Mat MacDonald works with partners across the West Midlands to help improve road safety and reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on the region’s roads.
TyreSafe believes that tyre safety must form an integral part of this work. Tyres are a vehicle’s only point of contact with the road, playing a critical role in braking, steering and grip. Yet tyre condition, pressure and tread depth can be overlooked by drivers, increasing the risk of collisions and breakdowns.
Through collaboration, TyreSafe and the Road Safety Commissioner aim to reinforce the importance of tyre safety as part of a wider commitment to safer journeys and preventing avoidable harm on the roads.
Mat MacDonald, West Midlands Road Safety Commissioner, said: “Traffic collisions can change lives in an instant on our roads, wiping out futures and leaving behind unimaginable trauma for witnesses and survivors. Safe vehicles are one of the key pillars of the system we’re trying to create, in which no-one is killed or seriously injured as they travel.
That’s why I’m so proud to be supporting TyreSafe’s work in this area, raising awareness of the risks associated with illegal or poorly maintained tyres and encouraging road users to take practical steps to ensure their vehicles are safe and roadworthy.
Checking your tyres before you drive is a small act, but there’s no doubt it could prevent your journey from ending in a devastating tragedy.”
Stuart Lovatt, Chair of TyreSafe, said: “We are delighted to be working with Mat MacDonald to strengthen the focus on tyre safety as a fundamental part of road safety.
“Tyres are often overlooked, despite being critical to a vehicle’s ability to brake, steer and maintain grip. Our aim is to make tyre safety an everyday consideration for every road user, rather than something people think about only when a problem arises.
“Partnerships are essential to reaching more people with clear, practical advice that can help change behaviour and reduce risk. By working together, we can reinforce the message that checking your tyres takes only a few minutes, but those checks could make all the difference.”
TyreSafe encourages every road user to follow its ACT approach to tyre safety:
- Air pressure: Check tyre pressures regularly and follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Condition: Look for cuts, cracks, bulges, embedded objects and signs of uneven wear.
- Tread: Check tread depth regularly and ensure tyres are legal and suitable for the vehicle.
Drivers should make these checks part of their regular vehicle maintenance routine and seek professional advice if they discover any concerns.
Through its work with road safety organisations, emergency services, industry partners and public bodies, TyreSafe continues to promote practical steps that can help drivers make safer choices and contribute to safer roads for everyone.
