The Driver Next To You May Not Be In Control.
New survey unearths disturbing information about Australian tyre habits.
Forty-eight per cent of Australians are delaying buying tyres for as long as possible, with 39 per cent of young Australians admitting to taking risks on old tyres.
Surveying 1,157 adults who had purchased new car tyres in the last two years, research and ratings consultancy Canstar Blue concluded the Australian motoring public’s understanding of tyre safety is worryingly low. Of those surveyed:
- 42 per cent were unaware of minimum legal tread depth
- 29 per cent admitted to driving on tyres they thought may be un-roadworthy
- 25 per cent bought the cheapest tyres possible
- 45 per cent of males in their 30s admitted to driving on unsafe tyres
- 58 per cent of drivers aged 18 to 29 are unaware of minimum legal safety standards
- 56 per cent of 18 to 29-year-olds delay purchasing tyres for as long as possible
- 38 per cent of 18 to 29-year-olds are opting for the cheapest tyres available, and
- 67 per cent of 18-29 year old females are unaware of their tyres’ tread depth.
Head of Canstar Blue, Megan Doyle, said the statistics sent a message drivers should take seriously.
“Buying new tyres is not high on the priority list for some motorists, which is incredible when you consider your tyres are the only thing separating you and your vehicle from the road.
“Tyres are not one of those things you should skimp on, but clearly that is the case for some people.
“These results should be a wake-up call to those motorists who put thoughts of their car tyres to the back of their mind,” Ms Doyle said.
“Yes, tyres can be expensive, but you can’t put a price on safety. Go and talk to the experts and don’t put yourself, and others, at unnecessary risk.
“Quality tyres don’t come cheap, but they will probably end up lasting longer than cheap ones and could therefore represent better value in the long run. Your first and last thoughts when buying tyres should always be about safety,” she said.
Toyo Tires marketing manager Jose Angeles said the company was committed to informing the motoring public about tyre safety.
“We are steadfast in our resolve to help Aussies grasp the role tyres play in road safety. Changing the way people buy tyres needs to happen at a cultural level.
“Our retail partners are the most trusted in the industry, with Toyo Tires retailer Tyrepower scoring five stars three years in a row in Canstar Blue’s customer satisfaction survey.
“We have worked with the leaders of the motoring media to present the tyre awareness message and coming into Easter it is more important than ever for drivers to be aware of the condition of their tyres.
“You don’t get in to emergency swerve, brake and avoid situations every day, but they do happen; and when they do, the right tyres will make the difference.”
Toyo has coordinated with CarAdvice to bring our users a simple, DIY tyre safety check.
Read Canstar Blue’s full report here.
