OPERATION TYRE CHECKS: Wolverhampton Council joins national effort to raise tyre safety awareness
- Perry Richardson
- Oct 17, 2025
- 2 min read
City of Wolverhampton Council has shared further information saying that its Compliance Team has be carrying out random tyre checks on both private hire vehicles and taxis this month as part of National Tyre Safety Month.
A Council spokesperson said the checks aim to help keep roads safe and highlight the importance of tyre maintenance among professional drivers. The move comes as part of the UK-wide Under Pressure campaign led by TyreSafe, which focuses on how everyday stress and financial pressures can lead motorists to overlook vehicle safety checks.
New research released by TyreSafe reveals that only 46% of drivers check their tyre pressures monthly. Among students, 41% wait for a dashboard warning before acting, while 60% of women admit to checking less than once a month. The findings also show that 71% of motorists find vehicle maintenance more stressful than managing personal relationships, underlining the behavioural challenges around routine safety tasks.
The issue has wider safety implications. Data from National Highways and the Transport Research Laboratory shows that 75% of tyre defects linked to fatal collisions are caused by poor maintenance. Around six million tyres on UK roads are estimated to be illegal each year, with one in five motorway or A-road breakdowns linked to tyre failure.
Stuart Lovatt, Chair of TyreSafe, said the annual October campaign was designed to help drivers manage these pressures. “When life feels overwhelming, routine vehicle checks can easily be neglected. Yet something as basic as ignoring underinflated tyres can lead to life-threatening consequences,” he said. “This year’s materials are helping road users of all kinds relieve the pressure by checking their tyres.”
With tyre safety checks already part of Wolverhampton’s vehicle licensing regime, the council’s initiative adds further assurance that taxis and private hire vehicles operating in the city meet road safety standards expected of professional drivers.
