A new report from the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has revealed that vehicle factors played a role in one in eight (101) fatal collisions in the period 2008 to 2012. Defective tyres were the most significant factor, representing almost two thirds (64.1 per cent or 66) of all vehicle factors identified.

This was revealed at the launch of a landmark new report ‘Pre-Crash Report on Vehicle Factors in Fatal Collisions the first of its kind in Ireland, which analysed An Garda Síochána Forensic Collision Investigation reports in order to identify the main contributory factors in collisions on Irish roads.

983 fatal collisions occurred on Irish roads between 2008 and 2012, claiming the lives of 1,077 people. The forensic details of 867 fatal collisions were analysed to identify the cause of the collision – of these, 858 involved a motorised vehicle. Vehicle factors, such as defective tyres, brakes, steering or suspension, were found to have contributed to 101 of these fatal collisions, in combination with behavioural factors such as speeding, alcohol or drug use.

Defective tyres were the most significant factor, representing almost two thirds (64.1 per cent or 66) of all vehicle factors identified as contributory to the collision. The report also found that defective brakes were also a contributory factor in road collisions between 2008 and 2012, contributing to 18 deaths and 6 serious injuries in collisions where a vehicle had defective brakes.

The main findings of the report are:

• Of 858 fatal collisions in Ireland between 2008 and 2012, motorised vehicle factors contributed to 101 collisions (12 per cent)
• Vehicle factors were a contributory factor in 12 per cent of all collisions. Of these tyres were the main contributory factor accounting for 8 per cent.
• Of collisions where vehicle factors were noted the condition of tyres accounted for almost two thirds (64.1 per cent or 66) of collisions
• Defective tyres were more prevalent in single vehicle crashes (74.1 per cent) when compared to multiple vehicle crashes (57.6 per cent)
• 111 people lost their lives and 30 were seriously injured in collisions where vehicle defects were a contributory factor.
• 71 people were killed and 19 were seriously injured in a collision where a vehicle had defective tyres as a contributory factor.
• 18 people were killed and 6 were seriously injured in a collision where a vehicle had defective brakes
• 17-24 year old drivers accounted for almost half (47 per cent) of fatal collisions involving defective, worn, over or underinflated tyres
• The highest proportion of drivers with defective tyres were in Donegal (18.2 per cent), followed by Cork, Kerry and Wexford (9.1 per cent each)
• Losing control on a bend on a regional road and on a road surface that was dry at the time were typical scenarios noted in the investigation reports.

The report also found that over half (51.5 per cent) of the tyres on the 66 vehicles with defective tyres were excessively or dangerously worn and 10.6 per cent were underinflated, some dangerously low. 6 per cent were a combination of excessively worn, underinflated, the wrong size or fitted in the wrong direction.

The RSA and An Garda Síochána are advising road-users to get their tyres checked regularly at Irish Tyre Industry Association (ITIA) and SIMI-registered garages and give themselves the peace of mind that their tyres are roadworthy.

A recent survey of driver behaviour conducted by Behaviour & Attitudes for the RSA found that over half (53 per cent) of drivers surveyed had experienced problems with their tyres in the past five years. Even more worryingly, one third of drivers had experienced such problems while driving. This was more pronounced among those who drive on major roads, drive for work or are aged 34 or younger. This is despite 82 per cent of drivers stating that they know how to check the air pressure in their tyres and 73 per cent stating they know how to check the tread depth.

To highlight the dangers of driving with defective tyres, the RSA has launched a powerful new TV, radio, cinema and online advertising campaign entitled ‘Grip’. The purpose of the ad is to make people aware that tyres are the one point of contact their car has with the road. The TV ad shows a man losing his grip with everyone close to him, in a frame that spins, as tyres do – or as a car that has been flipped in a crash does. It shows just what the man has lost, providing a stark reminder that we all need to check our tyres to make sure we don’t lose grip with everything that matters to us.