Motorists risk breaking major driving law this month amid road safety ignorance - 'Prevent collisions'

According to a survey by National Highways, 51 per cent of drivers remain unaware that retailers must legally display or discuss tyre labels when selling new tyres.

The regulations, implemented in 2012, require vendors to provide crucial safety information about tyre performance, including wet grip capabilities, fuel efficiency and noise levels.

Despite these long-standing requirements, the findings reveal a concerning lack of awareness that could compromise road safety for millions of motorists across the country.

The research forms part of National Highways' autumn safety initiative, highlighting significant knowledge gaps among drivers about essential vehicle safety measures.

The safety consequences of this knowledge deficit are stark as tyres with an A rating for wet grip can bring a vehicle to a halt as much as 18 metres sooner than those with an E rating when braking at 50mph in wet conditions.

This performance gap becomes particularly critical given the prevalence of rear-end crashes on major UK roads.

In 2023, motorways and major A roads witnessed 6,577 collision incidents, with 2,927 of these classified as front-to-rear impacts.

Meanwhile, regional data revealed consistent patterns across England, with front-to-rear collisions accounting for between 39.5 and 50.1 per cent of all crashes in different areas.

But more shockingly, the survey uncovered alarming gaps in consumer behaviour and understanding of UK tyre regulation.

Nearly one in five motorists were found to have never undertaken any research before purchasing tyres, while merely 41 per cent could remember encountering a label or obtaining one alongside their receipt.

Regional variations emerged, with London drivers demonstrating greater awareness, with 63 per cent recalling seeing labels compared to just 27 per cent in the southeast.

Knowledge of legal requirements also varied significantly, ranging from 34 per cent awareness in London to 58 per cent ignorance in the southeast.

A further 30 per cent of respondents admitted they lacked sufficient understanding of wet grip ratings to make informed purchasing decisions.

The East Midlands showed the highest confusion levels at 40 per cent, while London drivers appeared most confident, with only 20 per cent expressing uncertainty.

Colin Stevenson, Road Safety Information Lead at National Highways, said: "Wet grip ratings can make a real difference in how quickly your vehicle stops in the rain.

"What matters is being informed, so you can make an informed choice on your tyres. And while tyre performance plays a role in stopping distances, it’s also important to drive responsibly, keeping a safe distance and adjusting to road conditions helps prevent rear-end collisions."

Ian Andrew, Chief Executive Officer of the National Tyre Distributors Association, highlighted that comprehending tyre labels represents "the first step towards a safer journey" and praised the initiative for addressing knowledge gaps in vehicle safety checks.

Mr Andrew added: "Motorist safety is a huge part of the work we do with our members, so identifying gaps in vehicle checks and exploring how we can do better is something we’re proud to support."