School-Run Safety: Bridgestone Urges Parents to Check Tyres Now

Bridgestone is urging UK parents to check tyres before the new term, after research with 2,000 motorists found 63% delay replacement until an MOT failure and 11% would wait until tyres are completely bald. The company says cost pressures and low awareness are fuelling risky choices. With millions of children returning to classrooms in early September, the call centres on simple checks that can prevent unsafe journeys.

What Bridgestone’s Research Shows

• 63% of respondents would not replace tyres until their car fails its MOT.
• 11% admitted they would only act when tyres are completely bald.
• Over a third said financial concerns delay buying replacement tyres.
• These findings point to an ongoing risk from illegal tyres on family school runs.

“Tyres are the only part of a car that touches the road, and yet they remain one of the most neglected safety components. With the school run back in full swing, we want to remind parents that simple tyre checks could make the difference between a safe journey and a dangerous one. Life is a journey – let’s make it a safe one.” — Helen Roe, Senior Marketing Manager, Bridgestone UK

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National Context: Illegal Tyres and MOT Failures

TyreSafe reports a continuing burden from illegal tyres, indicating more than six million could be driven on UK roads each year and that tyre defects account for over two million MOT failures annually.

Recent Tyre News coverage also points to maintenance gaps: a HiQ study found nearly one in five newer cars fail their MOT at the first attempt, underscoring how neglect can affect even recent vehicles.

TyreSafe’s new “Tyre Wall of Shame” shows real-world examples of illegal and unsafe tyres, illustrating the day-to-day reality technicians encounter.

Bridgestone’s Advice for the School Run

Before setting off, parents are urged to take three quick steps:

• Check pressures: Use the vehicle handbook, door-sticker or fuel flap for the correct PSI.
• Measure tread depth: UK legal minimum is 1.6mm; consider 3mm as a practical safety threshold in wet weather.
• Seek expert help: If in doubt about wear, damage or age, consult a professional.

“We all want our children to get to school safely, and tyres play a huge role in that. By taking just a few minutes to check them each month, parents can make sure their family is better protected on every journey.” — Helen Roe, Bridgestone UK

Free Inspections: Road Safety Hero Activity

Bridgestone says more than 5,000 free tyre inspections have been delivered over the past 18 months through its Be a Bridgestone Road Safety Hero programme, aimed at making checks easier at community events.

Further reading on Tyre News:

• Maintenance gaps highlighted as one in five newer cars fail MOT first time.
• TyreSafe’s Tyre Wall of Shame puts illegal tyres in the spotlight.

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Tagged with: illegal tyres, MOT failures, tread depth, TyreSafe, Bridgestone UK, school run safety, tyre checks, bald tyres, road safety, tyre inspections, UK drivers, tyre maintenance