Ireland's Tyre Safety Day falls on Monday, 6 October, marking the start of the Road Safety Authority's road safety week, and Continental Tyres Ireland is calling for a stronger focus on tyre safety for learner drivers preparing for their test. The company says tyres are often overlooked despite being the only contact point between a vehicle and the road and wants the learner syllabus and test content to reflect how cars and tyre technology have changed.
What changes are being proposed?
Tom Dennigan, Head of Continental Tyres Ireland, suggests that the existing focus on basics, such as tread depth and visual checks, should be broadened. With more electric vehicles on the road, learners need guidance on how tyre choice and condition can affect range, braking and noise in EVs. He also says, “now that the majority of new cars are supplied without a spare wheel, replaced instead by tyre repair kits consisting of a compressor and bottle of sealant, the preparation for new learner drivers needs to include detail on how to use such new technologies. This is a skill gap that could leave drivers stranded or, worse, attempting unsafe roadside repairs”. There's also a call for simple seasonal advice, explaining how different tyre products are designed to perform in wet, cold or changeable Irish weather.
How are learners being reached?
To target new drivers directly, Continental Tyres Ireland has partnered with Dublin-based instructor Ross Smith, known online as thevirtualdrivinginstructor.ie, to produce a short video that explains practical tyre checks and good driving habits. Smith says many learners set out with little understanding of how crucial tyres are to overall safety and encourages regular pressure checks, watching for wear or damage, and driving smoothly to extend tyre life. Ross echoes Tom's call for a better and more up-to-date focus on the tyre safety elements of the driving test. He added: “I always tell my student drivers, if there is one thing you should never skimp on with your car, it is tyres and once you have the right tyres, look after them, drive in a way that maximises their lifespan - which in truth, just means slow down and drive at all times with the utmost care. Also, I try to instil in my students the need to regularly check tyre pressures and keep a watchful eye for excessive wear or damage - learners who embed those habits early are starting out with the right attitude".