Irish Tyre Industry Association launches Tyre Safety Week

ITIA tyre outlets all over Ireland are hosting a national Tyre Safety Week against the backdrop of findings that Irish motorists are failing to change their tyres on time.

Research conducted last month by the Irish Tyre Industry Association (ITIA) showed four out of 10 tyres submitted to depots for replacement were worn to below the legal tread limit of 1.6mm.

Over the course of the week, which runs from Monday December 6th to Saturday December 11th, ITIA member outlets across 26 counties will be offering tyre checks to customers, free of charge and without obligation. No appointment is necessary.
10,000 tyres were examined as part of the ITIA survey. While the results did show some improvement over similar research last year, the ITIA believes the large proportion of worn tyres is a real and immediate cause for concern.

“New tests carried out by the industry earlier this year make this 40% statistic all the more chilling,” Jack Farrell, Chief Executive of the ITIA explained.
“They showed that once a tyre’s tread depth falls below 3.5mm, the effect on braking distances is dramatic. We agree with many in the industry that 1.6mm is too little tread – at 3mm it is really time for a change. The Government should be taking the lead here by reconsidering current legislation,” he commented.

‘The timing of Tyre Safety Week is deliberate. It is a fact that we will witness a lot of unsafe driving this Christmas. If you’re not the cause of it, you could easily be the victim of it. It’s in hazardous situations on wet roads and in poor visibility that your tyres really show their worth. Having one’s tyres checked should be part of the annual preparation for the festive season.,” he added