WheelRight is urging motorists to remember the importance of tyre safety during this year’s Road Safety Week, which takes place this week (21-27 November).

Originally devised by highways charity Brake, Road Safety Week brings together local authorities, schools and motorists to highlight the importance of safe driving.

According to recent statistics, there are still 25 deaths and almost 1,500 serious injuries on British roads each year that are directly attributable to poor tyre maintenance.

Earlier this year WheelRight concluded a 12-month trial of its drive-over tyre pressure monitoring system, reading more than 155,000 tyre pressures at Keele Services on the southbound M6 – a notorious road accident blackspot.

More than half of all private motorists who took part in the pilot admitted to rarely checking their tyres, while those under the age of 25 were 50% more likely than older drivers to have a significantly under-inflated tyre. Perhaps even more shockingly, WheelRight’s data reveals that each HGV on UK roads is typically running with at least one seriously under-inflated tyre.

John Catling, chief executive of WheelRight, said: “Initiatives such as Road Safety Week are a great way to encourage motorists to ensure both their driving and vehicles are road worthy. With this year’s event just days away, I’d like to take this opportunity to encourage drivers to remember tyre pressure when checking their vehicles.

“As winter begins to bite, the importance of properly inflated tyres is even more important. Tyres that are even just a few PSI under recommended levels of inflation are much likelier to aquaplane during wet weather.”