Take a break from scrolling and check your tyres
A tyre check is quick and vital and takes a fraction of the time many of us spend scrolling social media. So why not take a short break from screen time, once a month, every month, and before long journeys.
That’s the latest message from PCL’s campaign emphasising the importance of protective tyre maintenance, pointing out it’s quicker than you think.
The initiative was launched in October in support of TyreSafe’s annual Tyre Safety Month in the UK, with the news that a proper tyre check takes just two-three minutes – less time than making a proper Yorkshire brew.
Now PCL wants to impress on drivers that, since we spend an average of 2.36 hours a day interacting with people and browsing through the latest news and trends (theglobalstatistics.com, 2025), just a tiny bit of time out from scrolling could make a huge difference to road safety.
The need to encourage motorists to take tyre care seriously was underlined when PCL supported West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service’s Vision Zero Awareness Day at Xscape Yorkshire. Vision Zero is a global campaign that aims to cut road deaths and serious injuries by 50per cent by 2030 and to zero by 2040.
Concerning findings at the event included that one in five tyres had a tread of 2mm or below, dangerously close to the UK legal minimum of 1.6mm. Many drivers wrongly assumed new tyres don’t need checking, and some admitted they are simply not interested in tyre checks.
The PCL team carried out free tyre checks and informed drivers that tyres with low tread can significantly compromise grip, water clearance, and braking in wet conditions. They also talked about the benefits of checking tyres: safety, saving money, and making sure your tyres are legal – avoiding a maximum fine in Ireland of up to €5,000 per tyre and five penalty points.
PCL managing director Lee Wright said: “We are extremely proud to demonstrate our commitment to road safety through activity with partners such as West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service and act on what we learn at these events. Vision Zero underlined the need to raise awareness and encourage drivers to carry out regular tyre checks, therefore our campaign aims to drive home the message that “it’s quicker than you think.
“Since 75 per cent of tyre defects in fatal collisions are due to lack of maintenance (National Highways/TRRL), protective tyre maintenance is something that drivers need urgent encouragement to do. So we want to put into context just how little time it takes to keep on top of it.
“If we all took a few minutes out of a potential 141 minutes spent on social media (Statista, 2025) to check the pressure, tread and condition of all of our tyres with accurate, high quality equipment, just imagine the difference that could make to road safety.”
Businesses can also support road safety by encouraging employees to check their tyres regularly and sharing reminders. A small action, done consistently, can make a big difference.
For fleets, the difference could be immense. Stuart Lovatt, TyreSafe Chair, said: “Regular tyre checks are a simple, low-cost way to avoid incidents that can cost businesses far more than they expect – in downtime, repairs, and reputational impact.
“Taking just a few minutes to regularly check tyre air pressure, condition and tread can significantly reduce risk across any fleet, in fact, for most fleet drivers, this is a daily requirement.
“PCL’s campaign highlights how quick and effective these checks can be, reminding both individual drivers and fleet operators that proactive maintenance is key to keeping vehicles, staff and operations running safely and efficiently.”
Wright urged: “Next time you find yourself scrolling, take a quick break to check your tyres – it only takes a couple of minutes. Or, to help make it a regular habit, add a monthly tyre check reminder to your phone’s calendar or reminders app. It’s a simple way to stay on top of tyre safety and avoid leaving it to chance.”
“At PCL, we have started sending monthly reminders to our employees, and we would encourage other businesses to do the same.”