Continental Tyres has called for stronger emphasis on tyre safety for learner drivers across Ireland who are preparing for their driving test.
Tom Dennigan, head of Continental Tyres Ireland, said if young learner drivers start out with a strong understanding and respect for tyre safety, they are "more likely to stay safe and have a better attitude to road safety throughout their driving lives".
"However, we need to get the powers that be to seriously look at and update the tyre awareness elements of the driving test in Ireland. It has traditionally focussed on some of the key details of tyre care, such as tread depth and how to check your tyres but it needs to keep up with the times," he explained.
Dennigan called for a better understanding on the key impact tyres can have on the proper running of an electric vehicle, and how to correctly use tyre repair kits as the majority of new cars are supplied without a spare wheel.
"This is a skill gap that could leave drivers stranded or, worse, attempting unsafe roadside repairs," he warned.
The call came in the lead up to Tyre Safety Day 2025, which kicked off the RSA’s dedicated Road Safety Week at the start of October.
Continental Tyres Ireland has partnered with Dublin-based driving instructor content-creator, Ross Smith, known as thevirtualdrivinginstructor.ie online, in order to educate new learner drivers as to the best ways to ensure tyres continue to keep their car safe on the road.
The partnership will see the production of an engaging and instructive piece of video for social media use that will highlight the importance of tyre safety to the learner driver audience.
