New research published this week by The AA and TyreSafe paints a troubling portrait of tyre safety in the UK.

It reveals a stark disconnect between what drivers believe they know and what they actually understand, especially when it comes to legal obligations and routine maintenance habits.

The findings arrive just as Tyre Safety Month 2025, themed ‘Under Pressure’, begins its national campaign to put tyre checks back on every motorist’s radar. 

Deflating findings 

Surveying over 22,000 UK drivers in May and July 2025, the joint study by The AA and TyreSafe uncovered significant blind spots in drivers’ tyre knowledge and behaviours.  

Some of the most striking takeaways include:

  • Legal penalties largely unknown: A full 61% of respondents did not know that the maximum fine for driving on illegal tyres can be £2,500 per tyre, and 45% were unaware that each illegal tyre can carry 3 penalty points on the driver’s licence. 

  • Confusion over responsibility: Only 65% correctly identified the driver — rather than the vehicle owner — as legally responsible for ensuring tyres are safe. 

  • Tread depth ignorance: Just 57% of drivers knew that the legal minimum tread depth is 1.6 mm. Others either named incorrect figures or admitted they didn’t know. 

  • Routine checks lag far behind confidence: Though 96% claimed to know how to check tyre pressure, only 30% had done so in the previous week. Just 19% reported weekly checks on tread depth; 15% said they check less often than every six months — or not at all. 

  • Demographic disparities: Men tended to score higher on knowledge and inspections than women, and older drivers outperformed younger ones. For example, 71% of men knew the driver was responsible for safety, compared with 55% of women; only 43% of those aged 18–24 correctly identified this, versus 68% of drivers aged 55–64. 

Greg Carter, Technical Specialist at The AA, warned: “It’s alarming that so many drivers are risking not just their own safety and that of others, but also potentially crippling fines and driving bans, simply due to a lack of knowledge and inconsistent maintenance.”

TyreSafe Chair Stuart Lovatt added that the research underscores the urgent need to close the “knowledge-behaviour gap,” noting: “Tyres are the only contact points a vehicle has with the road… fundamental aspects of their maintenance and the legal consequences are poorly understood.” 

Under pressure

October sees TyreSafe’s annual awareness drive returns under the banner,  titled “Under Pressure” this year.

It spotlights how daily stresses and financial strain are causing drivers to skip critical maintenance tasks — including tyre checks.

The campaign’s central message: “Life has enough pressures. Don’t let tyres be one.” 

October marks the onset of wetter, darker conditions in many parts of the UK , when tyre performance is under greatest strain.

TyreSafe warns that worn or underinflated tyres are significantly more dangerous in wet conditions, and that a worn tyre can increase stopping distances far more than alcohol impairment in some scenarios.

In the past five years, tyre defects have been implicated in an average of 152 deaths or serious injuries per year, with 172 people killed or seriously hurt in 2024 alone due to tyre-related issues. 

The campaign encourages drivers to adopt the ACT approach — a simple three-step mnemonic:

  • Air (check tyre pressure)

  • Condition (inspect for damage, bulges, embedded objects)

  • Tread (measure depth and ensure legality)

TyreSafe provides a full resource toolkit, including posters, leaflets, video assets and social media content that can be used free of charge.

In support, organisations such as Bridgestone are running promotions, for example, giving away winter safety kits to customers purchasing two or more tyres in October and November, and issuing renewed appeals for tyre checking. 

Action

The AA and TyreSafe urge all drivers to prioritise regular tyre checks as a fundamental part of vehicle safety. Low tyre pressure can affect handling and fuel economy, while insufficient tread depth dramatically reduces grip, especially in wet conditions.

“We need a concerted effort to educate drivers about their responsibilities,” adds Carter.

“Checking your tyre pressure and tread depth should be as routine as checking your fuel gauge. The risks of not doing so – both to safety and your wallet – are simply too high. We particularly encourage targeted campaigns for younger drivers and women to bridge the knowledge gap highlighted in our research.”

More broadly, the research suggests a need for continued public education efforts, particularly targeted at younger drivers and women, who showed lower awareness , as well as partnerships with garages, insurers, and schools to make tyre safety second nature.