New research revealing the risks to drivers from defective tyres has been published for Road Safety Week 2023.

An estimated 6 million tyres on the road have illegal tread, according to TyreSafe’s recent Tread Depth survey

IAM RoadSmart has warned that hundreds of thousands of UK drivers are risking both their licence and road user safety due to defective tyres.

An estimated six million tyres on the road have illegal tread, according to TyreSafe’s recent Tread Depth survey, putting countless drivers at risk of facing three penalty points and a fine, which can be up to a maximum of £2,500, for each defective or illegal tyre.

In a recent report by IAM RoadSmart, more than half a million drivers have already accumulated six points on their licence, and almost 100,000 drivers have nine points. That’s up 8% from August 2022.

Those who accrue 12 or more points within three years face an automatic six-month driving ban. And the harsh reality is that, in addition to the risks posed by illegal tread on tyres, almost 542,287 drivers are just two tyres away from an automatic driving ban, and almost 100,000 who have nine points are just a single tyre away.

In addition to the legal ramifications, these drivers are at a significantly higher risk of being involved in a serious incident, potentially paying the most substantial price. These risks are further heightened as we head into the wetter and colder winter months where grip becomes even more important.

Nicholas Lyes, director of policy and standards at IAM RoadSmart, commented on the gravity of the situation: “It is astounding that there are so many drivers at risk of severe penalties due to defective tyres. The correlation between tyre safety and road safety is undeniable. Drivers with three, six, or nine points on their licence should not only evaluate their driving skills but also consider the potential impact of a driving ban on their livelihoods. Education and training courses can play a significant role in making people safer drivers but good maintenance begins at home with tyre checks for inflation, tread, and regular servicing.”

IAM RoadSmart also said that Road Safety Week, which runs from 19 to 25 November, provides an essential platform for raising awareness about the potential consequences of driving with inadequate tyres.

Lyes continued: “It’s critical for the Government to introduce new enforcement measures and update their road safety strategy, as there is a growing suspicion that driving standards are deteriorating. The worrying increase in the number of drivers with points on their licence should serve as a wake-up call to prioritise road safety.”

TyreSafe and IAM RoadSmart are also using drivers to take immediate action to ensure the safety of themselves and others on the road. This includes regular tyre maintenance and adhering to safety standards.

Stuart Lovatt, TyreSafe chair, said: “Our latest research, the 2023 Tread Depth Survey, coupled with IAM RoadSmart’s findings further underscore our mission and case for action. Tyres are the only point of contact between your vehicle and the road, and need to be in roadworthy condition to not only ensure performance, handling and braking, but also compliance with the law, which is in place for a very good reason.”

TyreSafe’s full research report is here while its advice for checking tyres is here.