Tyresafe Receives Prestigious Prince Michael International Road Safety Award

LONDON – November 24, 2009: TyreSafe, the UK’s leading tyre safety organisation, has been awarded a prestigious Prince Michael International Road Safety Award in recognition of its achievements in raising awareness about the dangers associated with driving on defective and worn tyres. TyreSafe is now in its third year and since its inception has helped reduce the number of deaths on the UK’s roads from tyre related accidents, as reported by the Department for Transport, from 44 in 2006, to 34 in 2008. The number of reported casualties from accidents where illegal, defective or under-inflated tyres were a contributory factor has also reduced significantly from 1580 in 2006 to 894 in 2008.

“It’s a fantastic honour to have been awarded this distinguished accolade,” said Stuart Jackson, chairman, TyreSafe. “Despite being just three years old, the activities of TyreSafe really demonstrate what can be achieved when an industry rallies together. We continue to spread our messages about tyre safety to a wider audience in an increasingly engaging manner and we hope these efforts will result in an even greater reduction of tyre related accidents.”

TyreSafe campaigns in line with current legislation and duty of care regulations. It targets those within the tyre industry such as manufacturers and retailers as well as many outside including drivers, vehicle manufacturers, fleet operators, insurers, enforcement agencies and other groups. During 2009 it has run a number of successful campaigns including bike tyre safety month in April, and October’s tyre safety month which encouraged car drivers to check their tread depth.

Since 1987, the Prince Michael International Road Safety Awards have been presented to individuals, companies or organisations in recognition of their outstanding contribution to improving road safety. TyreSafe received their award within the Road Users category which recognises education and enforcement programmes that change the behaviour of road users for improved safety. The other categories covered by the awards are for roads and vehicles.

“The judges were very impressed by TyreSafe’s example of an industry-led organisation which has delivered some very successful campaigns, raising awareness of an important road safety issue,” comments Adrian Walsh, director, RoadSafe, - organisers of the awards.

The Judges considered over 80 nominations TyreSafe was one of just 15 bodies who were successfully selected against a set a stringent criteria, to receive the award.

TyreSafe chairman Stuart Jackson received the award from David Jamieson, former Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department for Transport, at a luncheon on 20th November. The organisation will be further represented at the Annual Awards Luncheon Ceremony, hosted by His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent, on 8th December, where the highlight of the ceremony will be the announcement and presentation of the 2009 Premier Award.

For further information about TyreSafe and its activities visit www.tyresafe.org.