Tyron Runflat warns of pothole pandemic
Peter Simson of Tyron Runflat
In the run-up to National Pothole Day this month, tyre safety solutions provider Tyron Runflat took the opportunity to highlight the dangers of potholes in a bid to help motorists keep safe on Britain’s increasingly treacherous roads.
Peter Simson, director at Tyron Runflat, said: “For long enough we have seen our roads plagued with dangerous potholes, creating treacherous road conditions for all road users. Throughout the whole of 2023, RAC patrols attended nearly 30,000 pothole-related breakdowns, which is up by 33 per cent compared to 2022.
“It is estimated that there are at least 1 million potholes on UK roads which is believed to be, on average, six potholes per mile on council-controlled roads in England and Wales.
“These stats help to show the vital need for action to fix our roads across the UK. For too long, the dangers of potholes haven’t been taken seriously enough so news of the government’s investment plans is welcome. The £1.6 billion investment proposed by the government to fix the country’s pothole problem is a step in the right direction, but we fear it could be too little too late.”
Peter added: “I have spent much of my career working in the wheel manufacturing industry and I have both seen, and experienced first-hand the dangers of potholes. While people first assume the tyre is the main concern, it is also the wheel, and in particular, alloy wheels.
“Impact damage may well be visible at the time, but wheels are susceptible to fatigue cracks that worsen over time, sometimes confused with slow punctures, and may result in failure later down the line.
“It is vital that the ongoing challenges and dangers of potholes aren’t ignored. As the cost to consumers and insurance companies continues to rise, we feel it is time for major steps forward to fix our roads and keep road users safe.”
Joining Tyron Runflat in its mission to raise awareness of the dangers of potholes was TyreSafe, the industry charity. Its chair Stuart Lovatt said: “Regular tyre checks and proper maintenance after hitting a pothole can help mitigate some of the risks associated with damage to the tyre or wheel. If you are unsure of whether the tyre or wheel is damaged, always seek professional advice to reduce the risk of future incidents.”
Peter Simson continued: “We make it our mission to provide a reliable and cost-effective tyre safety solution, our Tyron Multiband system, that enables the tyre to lock onto the wheel rim in the event of a blowout, preventing catastrophic loss of control, and giving the driver and passengers the ability to get to a safe location.
“Over recent years, the rise in potholes across the country has meant our Multiband has become an increasingly in-demand system for road users and can be the real difference between life and death.”
