Tyre Safe: 18 Years of Championing Road Safety through Tyre Awareness

When it comes to road safety, the factors that affect driver and passenger safety are often discussed in terms of excessive speed, seatbelt use, mobile phone usage (distraction), and drink and drug driving (impairment) – the ‘Fatal 4’. However, one crucial element is often overlooked – tyre defects – the ‘Fatal 5th’. Tyre Safe, a UK-based charity, has dedicated the past 18 years to raising awareness about the importance of tyre safety. Simon Hiorns, a key figure in the charity’s work, has been at the forefront of its efforts, bringing both passion and expertise to the mission.

 

Simon, can you introduce yourself and explain your role at Tyre Safe?

“My name is Simon Hiorns, and I’m a Trustee of Tyre Safe. I’ve been a long-time supporter of the organisation, having been involved in various capacities, including as an active member of the Steering Committee whilst in my role as Retail Director for Micheldever Tyre Services and ProTyre. I joined the Board of Trustees in 2018 and was re-elected for a second term in 2024. I am also TyreSafe’s Treasurer.”

 

With his extensive experience in the tyre industry, Simon’s role blends his retail knowledge with his passion for road safety, enabling him to drive Tyre Safe’s mission forward.

 

The Birth of Tyre Safe

Who is Tyre Safe and what is their mission?

“Tyre Safe is a UK-based road safety charity dedicated to improving road safety by raising awareness of the importance of well-maintained tyres. Our mission is to reduce road casualties and save lives by educating policymakers, enforcement agencies and drivers about the dangers of poorly maintained tyres.”

 

What inspired the founding of Tyre Safe?

“Tyre Safe was founded in 2006 by a group of industry professionals who recognised the significant impact of tyre-related incidents on road safety. They were concerned about the public’s attitude towards and awareness of tyre safety and aimed to address this issue through public awareness campaigns and educational initiatives to drive positive behavioural change.”

 

Tyre Safe has always believed that education and awareness are key to reducing tyre-related incidents. From its very beginning, the charity has worked tirelessly to spread this message through a variety of outreach efforts.

 

Key Achievements and Milestones

Over the past 18 years, Tyre Safe has achieved remarkable success in its mission.

What has Tyre Safe achieved in the past 18 years of its campaigning?

“Tyre Safe has made significant strides in promoting tyre safety. Some of our key achievements include:

• Public Awareness Campaigns – We’ve launched numerous campaigns to educate drivers about the importance of regular tyre checks, including tyre pressure and tread depth. This includes our annual flagship campaign, Tyre Safety Month and also the invention of the 20p test. We have appeared on the BBC, ITV and widely across the national, regional, local press and radio. In 2024 alone our activities reached over 350 million people.
• Partnerships – We’ve forged strong partnerships with various influential organisations, including automotive manufacturers, tyre retailers, road safety organisations, enforcement agencies and government bodies, to amplify our message and drive collective action. We work closely with organisations like National Highways, Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety, National Police Chiefs Council and many others to help shape policy through better education.
• Educational Materials – We’ve developed a range of informative materials, such as brochures, posters, and online resources, to educate the public about tyre safety. These resources are free to download and use.
• Advocacy – We’ve actively campaigned for stricter enforcement of existing tyre safety regulations and standards.”

 

What would you say your biggest accomplishment has been at Tyre Safe to date?

 “One of our proudest achievements is winning two prestigious Prince Michael International Road Safety Awards in 2009 and 2024. These awards recognise our significant contribution to improving road safety through our innovative campaigns and educational initiatives. Additionally, we’ve successfully raised public awareness about the importance of tyre safety and influenced policy makers to prioritise tyre safety in the UK’s wider road safety strategy.”

 

Reflecting on the Year 2024

In 2024, Tyre Safe has continued its commitment to raising awareness, forging partnerships, and advocating for improved safety measures.

How would you summarise Tyre Safe’s achievements this year?

“2024 has been our busiest and best year in our history. We’ve launched impactful campaigns, partnered with key stakeholders, and advocated for stronger enforcement of tyre safety regulations. Our evidence-based approach has enabled us to reach the right audiences with tailored messages, and we’ve seen a positive impact on driver behaviour and tyre safety practices.”

 

Tyre Safe in 2024 and Beyond

As Tyre Safe looks toward the future, its goals remain focused on improving tyre safety and reducing tyre-related incidents.

How will Tyre Safe evolve in the next 3-5 years?

“In the next 3-5 years, TyreSafe will continue to evolve and adapt to the changing landscape of road safety. We will need to find innovative ways to research the public to build our case for action and develop more effective interventions that drive behaviour change. By leveraging our strong partnerships, we can amplify our message and educate a wider audience about tyre safety.

We will also embrace new technologies to help motorists manage their tyres more effectively. This could include developing apps or digital tools to monitor tyre pressure and tread depth. Additionally, we will continue to seek out engaging ways to reach and educate the public, such as through social media campaigns and interactive workshops.

Our advocacy efforts will remain a key focus, as we continue to work with policymakers and opinion leaders to elevate tyre safety to a central position in the road safety narrative.”

 

What are Tyre Safe’s long-term goals?

“Tyre Safe’s long-term goal is to create a future where tyre-related harm is eliminated. To achieve this, we are campaigning for several key changes outlined in our manifesto;

Prioritising Tyre Defects – We are advocating for the inclusion of tyre defects as a priority offence in the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s (NPCC) Roads Policing Strategy. This will ensure that  enforcement agencies prioritise the detection and enforcement of tyre-related offences.

Government-Funded Tyre Safety Campaign – We are working to secure government funding for a UK-wide THINK! Campaign focused on tyre safety. This will raise awareness of the dangers of poorly maintained tyres and encourage drivers to adopt safe driving habits.

National Driver Offender Retraining Scheme – We support the creation of a National Driver Offender Retraining Scheme (NDORS) for drivers caught driving with vehicle defects. This will help to educate drivers about the risks associated with tyre-related offences and promote safer driving behaviours.

By achieving these goals, we believe that we can significantly reduce the number of tyre-related incidents and save lives.”

 

A Personal Commitment to Road Safety

For Simon, the mission of Tyre Safe is deeply personal.

Why do you feel passionate about Tyre Safe’s mission?

“I am passionate about Tyre Safe’s mission because I believe that well-maintained tyres are a critical component of road safety. By raising awareness and promoting education, we can empower drivers to make informed decisions and reduce the risk of tyre-related incidents. Ultimately, our goal is to save lives and make our roads safer for everyone.”

 

Through Simon Hiorns’ leadership and the collective efforts of Tyre Safe, the charity continues to make significant strides in improving tyre safety. With a solid foundation and clear goals for the future, Tyre Safe is set to play an even more pivotal role in road safety for years to come.