Tyre manufacturer Michelin is supporting the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and its efforts to raise public awareness of the importance of tyre safety.

In an analysis by the RSA of fatal road accidents occurring in Ireland between 2008 and 2012 just published, defective tyres were identified as the largest single ‘vehicle factor’ involved.

As part of a drive to urge motorists to be extra diligent in ensuring their tyres are properly inflated and maintained, Michelin has been conducting studies at centres throughout the UK and Ireland since 2007 as part of their free Fill-Up-With-Air tyre check programme – which included events held in Galway, Naas, Dungarvan and Ballymena.

Having inspected tens of thousands of cars, Michelin found that, on average, 57 per cent of those checked had underinflated tyres, of which 33 per cent were ‘dangerously’ or ‘very dangerously’ under-inflated. In addition, some 5 per cent had a punctured tyre and 1 per cent had tread depths below the legal minimum.

Pressures between 8psi and 14psi below the manufacturer’s recommendation are classified as ‘dangerous’ by Michelin, while tyres more than 14psi below the recommended level fall into the ‘very dangerous’ category.  

Reminding drivers that the average size of a car tyre’s contact patch is the size of your hand, Michelin is urging drivers to maximise their own safety, pointing to the recent statement by acting Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe who said: “We can take personal responsibility for ensuring our vehicle is properly maintained so that we can rely on our tyres responding to the conditions as they should”.

In calling for an industry-wide approach to highlight the importance of proper tyre maintenance, Phil Baldock, Michelin Communications Manager for the UK and Ireland, said: “Under-inflated tyres are dangerous – Vehicle handling and braking distances are harmed, and the risk of losing grip, aquaplaning, punctures and blow-outs increases significantly. Under-inflated tyres also wear out quicker and use more fuel, meaning not only safety but running costs are affected”.