Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen is joining forces with a national charity to prevent serious and fatal collisions involving illegal or poorly maintained tyres.
The County Durham and Darlington PCC,who is Joint National Lead for Roads Policing on behalf of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC), has teamed up with APCC colleague, Warwickshire PCC Philip Seccombe, in becoming official TyreSafe partners.
TyreSafe, a registered charity since 2016, aims to reduce tyre-related incidents on the UK’s roads by enhancing awareness of the need for regular tyre maintenance and highlighting the serious dangers posed by illegal or poorly maintained tyres.
The ardent road safety campaigners have formally pledged their support to the charity’s national safety initiatives as part of their relentless mission to save lives and increase road safety standards across the UK.
It comes as the North-East England was found to have the highest illegal tyre rate in Great Britain at 11.8% (compared to the national average of 7.7%), according to the National Tyre Distributors’ Association's recent ‘TyreCheck 2025’ report. A total of 537 of 4,552 vehicles examined fell below the legal minimum.
Latest Department for Transport (DfT) figures reveal that in 2024, 172 people were killed or seriously injured (KSI) due to tyre-related incidents - 19 more than the five-year average.
For powered two-wheelers alone, tyre-related KSIs have risen by 24%, reaching their highest level in a decade.
Tyre neglect remains an escalating challenge, with over 6 million illegal tyres on UK roads each year while one in five motorway breakdowns is linked to tyre defects.
Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen said: “Road safety is one of my highest priorities, and the rising number of tyre-related collisions is deeply concerning.
“Something as simple as checking air pressure, tread depth, or visible damage can prevent life-changing injuries and save lives. I’m proud to partner with TyreSafe to help ensure that drivers across the force area and beyond understand the risks and have the knowledge and confidence to keep their vehicles safe and roadworthy.
“Together, we can reduce avoidable harm and make meaningful improvements to the safety of our roads.”
Warwickshire PCC Philip Seccombe added: “This partnership with TyreSafe is a clear extension of our national commitment to reducing avoidable harm on our roads. The data on tyre-related incidents is stark, and we need to empower every driver, motorcyclist and fleet operator to take five minutes to check their tyres.
“In Warwickshire our Road Safety Partnership already supports TyreSafe’s aim to raise awareness of the importance of correct tyre maintenance and the dangers of defective and illegal tyres. I want to see that replicated across the country and by working alongside TyreSafe, we can amplify these crucial safety messages to other PCCs and through the wider road safety network.”
Stuart Lovatt, TyreSafe Chair said: “We are delighted to welcome PCC Joy Allen and PCC Philip Seccombe as official TyreSafe partners. Their joint leadership as the APCC Roads Policing Leads will play a crucial role in helping us reach even more drivers with life-saving messages about tyre maintenance.
“With tyre-related KSIs for the last two years significantly above average and more than half of UK tyres thought to be underinflated, collaboration with road safety champions like Joy and Philip is essential. We look forward to working closely together to support safer journeys across their respective regions and nationally.”
The joint partnership will see both the Durham and Warwickshire OPCC offices actively support TyreSafe campaigns throughout 2025–26, including Tyre Safety Month, winter awareness messaging, and targeted interventions for high-risk road users such as young drivers, motorcyclists and fleet operators.
The Durham Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office also have a stock of tyre tread depth gauges which will be handed out at engagements throughout County Durham and Darlington.
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