#RespectThePressure – Drivers urged to regularly check tyre pressures to ensure safety

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  • Under or over-inflated tyres contribute to fatalities
  • Poorly inflated tyres lead to poor performance and compromise safety
  • Incorrect tyre pressure is subject to penalty points
  • Visit ITIA member dealers for a FREE tyre check: www.itia.ie

Now that travel restrictions are starting to lift, the Irish Tyre Industry Association (ITIA) are undertaking #RespectThePressure – a campaign to increase awareness of the importance of regularly checking the pressure in tyres for drivers of all vehicles. This campaign will inform motorists on how to identify the correct tyre pressure for each vehicle, to correctly inflate their tyres and how to look out for potential problems.

Tyres are the most important part of any vehicle when it comes to safety as they are the only point of contact between the driver and the road itself. Based on an analysis of road collision reports it is estimated that defective tyres are the most significant contributor (66%) to a collision and the cause of up to as many as 14 deaths each year*.

ITIA CEO, Sue O’Neill said: “Unfortunately, people don’t often think about checking their tyre pressure and motorists need to realise that incorrect inflation of their tyres does not only have important safety implications.  To drive a vehicle with defective or worn tyres is an offence that will attract a fixed charge (or fine) of €80, plus two penalty points endorsed on the driver’s license on commission of the offence, or four penalty points following conviction in court”.

In a survey carried out by ITIA member, Continental Tyres, it was found that only one in ten female motorists regularly check their tyres, while the figure for male drivers was a slightly more ‘respectable, 23 percent – however both figures show the vast majority of motorists pay scant regard to their tyres.

“The mismanagement of tyres also reduces the performance of a vehicle and increases running costs so it is important for drivers to know where to find their tyre pressure and check the condition of your tyres regularly as an essential part of looking after both their vehicle and safety.

Visit ITIA Tyre Pressure video to learn how to manage your tyres: https://youtu.be/i2x6XR4Lr3U

Or pay a visit to ITIA member dealers nationwide who will be happy to do that FREE of charge at www.itia.ie” Sue O’Neill added.

* RSA Review of Garda fatal forensic investigation collision files for the period 2008 – 2012