As the UK braces itself for more treacherous driving conditions this winter, motorists remain unsure whether or not to equip cold weather tyres.
According to research carried out by leading tyre manufacturer Goodyear, 71% said they would have trouble telling one type of tyre from another without assistance, 26% believe it’s safe to drive with summer tyres as long as the roads have less than 10cm of snow on them and 29% feel the sale of cold weather tyres is simply a marketing gimmick.
The survey amongst 500 drivers suggested that widely-held misunderstandings about tyres, particularly the role of cold weather tyres, still threatened road safety.
“Road Safety is a major concern, and the confusion surrounding cold weather tyres needs to be resolved in order to make motoring safer,” said James Bailey, corporate communications manager for Goodyear Dunlop.
“When nearly a third of drivers think it is OK to drive on snow with summer tyres if you’re careful, that’s a serious safety hazard. We have to increase people’s awareness, not just on winter tyres, but about how the right tyres for the right conditions can contribute to road safety generally.”
Goodyear’s award winning UltraGrip 7+ cold weather tyre delivers unparalleled control in hazardous winter conditions. Voted best cold weather tyre by weekly car magazine Auto Express, the tyre was tested and proven to stop six car lengths shorter than a conventional tyre on snow. The tyre was also a remarkable performer in the wet as well. In two tests that measured aquaplaning, the tyre dominated with a score 18% higher than a rival all-season tyre in the type of road conditions that the UK experiences every season.
For further information and tips on how to stay safe this winter, visit www.goodyear.co.uk.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
Survey Methodology
• The study was carried out by APCO Insight on behalf of “Goodyear Dunlop Europe” to better understand licensed drivers’ road safety awareness, beliefs and practices.
• Fieldwork was carried out from 31 August to 9 September 2010.
• Respondents had to: Have a valid driver’s license, be older than 18, and be an active driver (drive more than 1km per year).
About Goodyear Dunlop
• Goodyear has 111 years’ worth of experience in developing a vital part of any vehicle - the tyre. We believe that we have a responsibility be involved in the tyre safety debate, and we want to contribute to safer mobility.
• Goodyear Dunlop is a signatory to The European Road Safety Charter (ERSC).
• Goodyear Dunlop supported the idea of an EU Tyre Label that makes it easier for consumers to judge tyre performance from an environmental and safety perspective.
• Goodyear Dunlop has supported the mandatory introduction of the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System – an electronic system designed to monitor the air pressure inside a tyre – in all new passenger cars from 2012, and all cars from 2014.
• Goodyear Dunlop also supports the idea of member states bringing in laws around winter tyres to improve road safety in winter conditions.
• Goodyear Dunlop is engaging with stakeholders to demonstrate the importance of road safety.
• Goodyear Dunlop commissioned the Goodyear Road Safety Survey 2010, in order to raise awareness of the importance of basic tyre maintenance.
News release issued on behalf of Goodyear by Connect PR
For further information call Lee Southen on 01902 714 957 or email lee@connect-group.com
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