The road safety organisation says that urgent action on defective tyres is required to address underestimated problem

The government has published UK 2024 road casualty statistics, which demonstrate the country’s continued lack of progress in reducing the most serious road safety incidents. Road safety organisation TyreSafe responded to the statistics, expressing concern over the persistent stagnation in fatal and killed or seriously injured (KSI) figures, a trend that has remained unchanged for over 15 years. Of particular concern is the role of tyres as a contributory factor in road incidents, which remains a preventable yet under-addressed cause of casualties.

The data highlights a 24 per cent rise in tyre-related KSIs among powered two-wheel vehicle users in 2024, the highest in a decade, despite a stagnant five-year average. Car occupants also saw no improvement, with tyre-related KSIs remaining at a consistent five-year average of 102. These figures underscore the lack of progress in addressing tyre safety, TyreSafe says.

Concerns also remain that defective tyres remain an underreported source of KSIs, as research suggests as many as 2 million vehicles could be running on tyres in an illegal condition and which should be replaced. Commander Kyle Gordon from the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) has suggested that despite a generally good reputation, “complacency” has set into UK road safety policy, especially on tyre safety, which Gordon says is “so far behind much of Europe.”

“We remain deeply concerned at the continued stagnation in the 5-year average for tyre-related KSIs,” said Stuart Lovatt, TyreSafe chair. “The figures for 2022 (152), 2023 (151), and 2024 (153) clearly demonstrate that more needs to be done. The 2024 figure of 172 tyre-related KSIs is especially alarming, as it is 9 higher than the 5-year average and represents a significant step backwards.”

The release of the figures support TyreSafe’s argument that the government should formally incorporate tyre defects into its upcoming Road Safety Strategy, previously stated at the organisation’s Briefing Day. TyreSafe advocates for targeted action and national attention to reduce the unacceptable number of tyre-related incidents and fatalities, insisting that immediate, coordinated measures are essential to protect all road users.

TyreSafe also welcomed its inclusion in RoSPA’s ‘Safer Lives, Stronger Nation’ report, which emphasised the dangers posed by illegal or poorly maintained tyres and called for stronger enforcement and education.

Highlighted figures from DfT’s ‘Reported road casualties Great Britain, annual report: 2024’

  • 1,602 fatalities, a decline of 1% compared to 2023
  • 29,467 killed or seriously injured (KSI) casualties, a decline of 1% compared to 2023
  • 128,272 casualties of all severities, a decline of 4% compared to 2023
  • 7 road fatalities per billion vehicle miles travelled, down 3% compared to 2023
  • Tyre related KSIs were 172, 9 higher than the 5-year average