Liverpool backs new tyre safety campaign for taxi and private hire drivers

Liverpool backs new tyre safety campaign for taxi and private hire drivers

Liverpool City Council has partnered with TyreSafe to address issues of tyre safety within the licensed vehicle sector. This collaboration follows several enforcement actions where taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs) were found to be operating with illegal or dangerously worn tyres. The council’s Licensing Officers discovered cases where tyres were so severely worn that the internal reinforcing cords were visible, leading to immediate suspension of the affected vehicles from service.

TyreSafe, a charity dedicated to tyre safety, has responded by creating a range of educational materials targeted specifically at the taxi and private hire industry. These resources aim to support drivers, operators, fleet managers, and licensing authorities by providing clear guidance on conducting routine tyre inspections and understanding legal tyre standards. Given that licensed vehicles tend to accumulate high mileage, regular tyre checks are crucial to ensuring road safety for drivers, passengers, and other road users alike.

The introduction of these materials also addresses the financial considerations faced by many professional drivers. While part-worn tyres can be a cost-effective option, TyreSafe stresses the importance of purchasing only from reputable dealers and ensuring stringent compliance with UK safety regulations. These include mandatory inspections, pressure testing, permanent marking as “PART-WORN,” a minimum tread depth of 2mm, and freedom from hazardous faults. Previous enforcement efforts have uncovered illegal sale of part-worn tyres with serious defects, emphasizing the need for vigilance.

Leaders involved in this initiative have highlighted the critical role of education alongside enforcement. Stuart Lovatt, Chair of TyreSafe, emphasized that professional drivers cover significant distances and must maintain safe tyres to protect everyone on the road. Councillor Harry Doyle of Liverpool City Council spoke about the priority of passenger and driver safety and praised the joint work to promote practical tyre safety checks. Additionally, David Lawrie, Director of the National Private Hire and Taxi Association, supported the initiative, noting the risks of shortcuts due to financial pressure and urging widespread adoption of the new guidance. The free resources are intended to complement ongoing compliance efforts and are accessible to licensing authorities and industry stakeholders to help reduce the prevalence of unsafe tyres within the sector

Read the full article on Liverpool Express here: Read More