RSA says defective tyres played role in many road deaths

A new study by the Road Safety Authority has found that defective tyres were a significant factor in a number of fatal collisions on Irish roads.

An analysis of forensic collision investigations conducted by gardaí between 2008 and 2012 has found that tyres were a contributory factor in 8% of 858 fatal crashes.

The study found that 111 people lost their lives and 30 were seriously injured in collisions in which vehicle defects were a contributory factor.

The RSA said defects may not have been the sole cause of the collisions, but coupled with the combination of other pre-crash behaviours, resulted in these deaths.

The study found that in over half of collisions where vehicles had defective tyres, tyres were dangerously worn, while in 10% of cases tyres were under-inflated.

The largest age group driving with defective, worn or under-inflated tyres was those aged 17-24.

Donegal had the largest proportion of culpable drivers with defective tyres on their vehicles, followed by Cork, Kerry and Wexford.

The RSA says this analysis shows that defective tyres are a bigger contributory factor to deaths and injuries on Irish roads than previously identified.

It will now begin a major awareness and safety campaign, beginning today.

In a statement Minister for Transport Paschal Donohoe said the report "highlights just how important it is that every aspect of a vehicle, whether a car, truck, van or motorcycle, is in proper, roadworthy condition.

"None of us can predict what will happen when we use the roads - we may encounter other drivers behaving poorly, or weather conditions could be particularly bad.

"But we can take personal responsibility for ensuring our vehicle is properly maintained so that we can rely on our tyres responding to the conditions as they should or our brakes working when they need to."

He added work is under way to bring the offence of defective and non-roadworthy tyres within the penalty point system.