TyreSafe, a charity at the forefront of road safety advocacy and a co-founder of the UK Towing Safety Alliance (UKTSA), has raised the alarm over a critical decline in trailer upkeep following a four-year assessment of highway data. The study, which examined incidents on the Strategic Road Network between 2022 and 2025, has uncovered a growing mechanical emergency that threatens commercial transport reliability.

While recreational towing campaigns have delivered measurable improvements, the commercial sector tells a different story. Annual towing-related breakdowns have reached 4,830, with tyre complications consistently comprising more than one-quarter of these events. The North West has emerged as the most affected area, where trailer-specific tyre failures have climbed by 40 percent since 2022, heavily concentrated along the M6 and M62 motorways and accounting for one-fifth of all national tyre-related incidents.

Performance across vehicle categories varies dramatically. Caravan owners have achieved a 6 percent reduction in tyre issues, marking a clear success, whereas trailers now generate 48 percent of all tyre problems nationwide. The 755 trailer tyre failures recorded now nearly match the combined figure for caravans and horseboxes. Horsebox owners face particular vulnerability, with a 21.5 percent rise in tyre failures, especially in the East and North West regions.

In light of these disparities, TyreSafe and the UKTSA will pivot their 2026 educational efforts towards commercial operators under a ‘Working Trailer’ initiative, moving away from leisure-focused messaging. Users are strongly advised to adhere to a pre-departure routine covering three critical areas: maintaining correct inflation pressures, inspecting tyre surfaces for damage or age-related deterioration – with a replacement recommendation of 6 to 10 years for stationary vehicles – and verifying tread depth meets the 1.6 mm legal minimum.

Stuart Lovatt, TyreSafe Chair, said, “For every four towed vehicles grounded on the side of the road, one is there specifically because of a preventable tyre failure. While we are seeing a 17 percent decrease in collisions, reliability is moving in the wrong direction, leading to thousands of unnecessary hours of network disruption.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

The AZuR Circular Tyre System has been nominated for the German Sustainability Award Products 2026 in the ‘Resources’ transformation category. This selection places the initiative among solutions deemed by the expert jury as pioneering for advancing a resource-conserving economy.

This circular economy model spans the entire tyre lifecycle, uniting industry partners, retailers, recycling specialists and academic institutions. The framework optimises tyre usage and guarantees high-quality raw material recovery. Repair, reprofiling and retreading prolong useful life, while tyres beyond repair undergo mechanical or chemical recycling to recover valuable secondary materials.

Rather than relying on a single technology, the system's distinctiveness lies in networking stakeholders across the value chain. The award's evaluation highlighted the system's ambition to extend product longevity, prevent waste and sustain raw material circulation, thereby reducing demand for virgin resources.

German market data for 2024 shows approximately 533,000 tonnes of used tyres generated, with 193,000 tonnes mechanically recycled and 20,000 tonnes retreaded. Research indicates retreaded tyre production can reduce CO₂ emissions by over 60 percent, lower raw material usage by two-thirds and cut energy consumption by 50 percent compared to new tyre manufacturing. Products from tyre granulate can save between 1.0 and 3.2 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent per tonne of recycled material.

The nomination drives AZuR to advance Europe's tyre circular economy through extended lifespans, strengthened recycling and digitalisation. The 2026 award winners will be announced on 3 December in Düsseldorf.

Anna Maria Guth, AZuR network coordinator, said, “The nomination is a great recognition for all partners who are working together to further close the tyre cycle. It also shows that the circular economy can be particularly successful when companies, science and other stakeholders do not act in isolation but jointly develop solutions along the entire value chain.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Bridgestone has released research indicating that over 80 percent of UK motorists believe basic tyre knowledge should be mandatory for new drivers during learning and after passing their test. The survey found that 81 percent of respondents want new drivers to understand correct tyre pressures, tread depth regulations and tyre pressure monitoring systems. Additionally, 57 percent expressed support for graduated driving licences aimed at young motorists, reflecting broader calls for enhanced safeguards during early independent driving.

The findings also reveal strong public backing for more rigorous enforcement, with 67 percent of motorists advocating for tyre safety inspections during routine police traffic stops. Beyond individual owners, 76 percent of respondents asserted that employers should bear greater responsibility for ensuring tyres on all work-related vehicles are properly maintained. Furthermore, 78 percent called for dedicated tyre safety education to be introduced for young people before they reach driving age, underscoring a collective desire for preventative measures that begin well before a first lesson.

The survey results coincide with newly published Department for Transport data showing a significant deterioration in tyre-related road safety outcomes. The number of people killed or seriously injured in collisions involving illegal, defective or underinflated tyres rose by 19 percent year on year, from 169 casualties in 2024 to 201 in 2025. Overall, tyre-related incidents accounted for 667 casualties during 2025, a 14 percent rise from 585 the previous year, while collisions attributed to defective tyres climbed to 447.

This research builds upon Bridgestone’s 2025 study, which identified substantial backing for additional protective measures for novice drivers. Half of respondents supported displaying a recently passed sign for up to 12 months and limiting new drivers to one passenger during their first year, while 39 percent favoured a mandatory refresher course after passing the test and 21 percent endorsed restricting new drivers to a 50-mile radius from home for 6 to 12 months. The findings reinforce Bridgestone's Road Safety Hero campaign, promoting regular tyre checks as part of the company's broader E8 Commitment to enhance driver safety and sustainable mobility.

Helen Roe, Senior Marketing Manager, Bridgestone UK, said, “The latest findings reinforce our belief that tyre safety should play a far greater role in helping young drivers develop safe driving habits from day one. Despite tyres being the only point of contact between a vehicle and the road, tyre maintenance remains one of the most overlooked aspects of vehicle safety. We have seen some high-profile cases of preventable road fatalities due to defective tyres and we can’t stress the importance of knowing the tyre basics and carrying out some simple checks, which can be done in a matter of minutes.

“Learning to drive doesn't stop the day someone passes their test. Developing safe habits, including understanding how to check and maintain tyres, is an important part of becoming a confident and responsible driver. It's encouraging to see such strong public support for improving tyre safety education and ensuring motorists understand the importance of looking after the only part of the vehicle that actually touches the road. Simple checks can make a real difference to road safety, not only for new drivers but for everyone using our roads.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Continental has expanded its ContiTread portfolio with the launch of the ContiTread HDR 3 HT, a premium retread engineered for fleet applications requiring enhanced durability, operational efficiency and reliable all-season capability. The new offering is positioned to streamline fleet maintenance while delivering robust performance across diverse driving conditions.

The retread features a non-directional tread pattern that simplifies tyre rotation and reduces inventory complexity, directly supporting improved fleet uptime and more manageable maintenance schedules. This design choice reflects Continental’s focus on practical, fleet-friendly solutions that minimise operational friction.

Engineered for all-season confidence, the ContiTread HDR 3 HT provides dependable traction on icy and snowy surfaces, alongside stable handling in wet and dry environments, ensuring consistent year-round performance. The tyre also incorporates an advanced high-mileage compound formulated for regional services, promoting extended wear on both highway and local routes while enhancing resistance to cuts and chips to guard against road hazards.

Replacing the ContiTread HDW2 in all sizes except the 265, the HDR 3 HT is available in sizes 210, 220, 230 and 240 with a 27/32-inch tread depth. By combining efficiency, durability and versatile performance, Continental aims to help fleets maximize productivity and reduce overall operating costs.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Egypt has taken a step towards establishing a USD 500 million tyre manufacturing complex in the Sokhna Industrial Zone, according to Daily News Egypt, following the signing of a letter of intent between the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE) and China’s Zhongce Rubber Group.

Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Mohamed Farid and SCZONE Chairperson Mostafa Sheikhoun witnessed the signing, which sets out a framework to study the project’s feasibility and assess its technical and investment requirements.

The proposed development would span about 600,000 sq metres and be implemented in three phases. Around 95 per cent of production, comprising passenger car and truck tyres, would be directed towards export markets.

Farid, as per the report, said the agreement marked “an important step towards exploring the establishment of an integrated industrial project in the tyre sector”, adding that it reflects efforts to attract foreign direct investment, expand production and boost exports.

He said Egypt’s geographical position, infrastructure and logistics capabilities support access to markets in Africa, the Middle East and Europe, strengthening its potential as a regional manufacturing hub.

Sheikhoun said the project aligns with SCZONE’s strategy to attract industrial investment and deepen local manufacturing, adding that the Sokhna Industrial Zone offers logistical advantages and access to global trade routes.

Shen Jinrong, Chairperson and General Manager of Zhongce Rubber Group, said the company plans to implement the project in three phases, with investments of about USD 500 million He added that around 95 percent of production would be exported as the group seeks to expand in regional and international markets.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!