HE deals with over 3,500 wheel or tyre-related incidents every month. UK government figures suggest 1 in 12 heavy goods vehicles tyres is dangerously underinflated with the figure 1 in 8 for cars. In addition, many car drivers, commercial van and lorry drivers do not know the correct pounds per square inch for their vehicles while commercial drivers often leave tyre maintenance to their depots and do not check pressures themselves – with hard to reach tyres (inside of axles).
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Other initiatives being refined or developed include two pilot schemes in Lancashire and Yorkshire equipping firefighters with mobile 3D scanners to give drivers tread depth readings and safety advice at safety events. In addition, equipping HE’s own Traffic Officer Service with hundreds of manual tread gauges so they can help drivers make judgements about tyre health at public events. Investigating ways of quickly scanning vehicles, especially lorries, for tyre tread depth, overheating brakes or axles which can cause lorries to break down, leading to congestion. Working with tyre firm Bridgestone to analyse the causes of tyre-related incidents and tyre damage – including promoting better tyre ‘husbandry’ among drivers and commercial fleet operators, with a focus on regular tyre checks and debris-free depot maintenance. Finally, developing a pilot initiative with
Tyre-related incidents can be caused by under-inflation or over-inflation, bulges, blisters and cracks and other signs of weathering – often seen on towed vehicles which are often only used seasonally.
To slash road causalities by 40% by 2020 and combat last year’s 8 tyre-related fatalities and 120 serious injuries, 8101 Highways England (HE) has revealed a series of initiatives to mark the end of the Tyre Safety month. Working with the NHS and tyre manufactures, HE is helping family drivers, commuters and commercial drivers keep tyres in top condition. Some of these plans are already being delivered.
