TyreSafe, UK’s charity dedicated to raising tyre safety awareness, is calling for a shift in driver mindset, moving beyond reliance on enforcement to foster a culture of proactive vehicle safety. This follows new research from Uswitch that exposes a disconnect in how motorists approach maintenance. While the threat of penalty points prompts some action, it falls short of establishing consistent safety habits. TyreSafe argues this ‘safety gap’ reveals the limitations of an enforcement-led strategy, suggesting true road safety depends on motivating drivers to perform checks to protect lives rather than merely avoid punishment.

The findings paint a complex picture. Although over 4.8 million penalty points were issued in 2025, with the vast majority linked to speeding, only a third of motorists conduct vehicle checks specifically to evade penalties. While a significant majority of drivers with existing points altered their behaviour after being penalised, only half believe penalty points enhance road safety. For TyreSafe, this highlights a clear challenge: consistent vehicle maintenance has not yet become an automatic, routine part of driving habits.

This gap between awareness and action is particularly critical for tyre safety, a ‘silent risk’. Unlike speeding, which is highly visible and rigorously enforced, tyre defects often go unnoticed until they contribute to a serious incident. The statistics are stark, with an estimated six million illegal tyres on UK roads. Each year, tyre defects cause over two million MOT failures and result in thousands of penalty points. Given that tyres are the vehicle’s only contact with the road, their neglected state represents a persistent and underestimated danger.

In response, TyreSafe advocates for education alongside enforcement, warning that relying on fear of fines fosters reactive compliance rather than a preventative mindset. To address this, TyreSafe urges road users to embrace the simple ACT protocol: regular checks of air pressure, condition and tread depth. By encouraging drivers to internalize these routine habits, TyreSafe believes it is possible to bridge the gap between knowing what is safe and consistently acting on it, preventing thousands of needless incidents caused by poorly maintained tyres.

Stuart Lovatt, Chair of TyreSafe, said, “Enforcement clearly has a role to play in improving driver behaviour, but it cannot be the only motivator. What this data highlights is a safety gap. If only a third of drivers are checking their vehicles to avoid penalty points, we need to ensure everyone is checking them for the right reason – to stay safe. Tyres are a hidden risk. Unlike speeding, they’re not always visible and often go unchecked until something goes wrong. But when tyres fail – whether through low tread, incorrect pressure or damage – the consequences can be immediate and severe. The reality is that many tyre-related incidents are entirely preventable. A few simple checks, carried out regularly, can make a life-saving difference. We need to move beyond a culture of compliance driven by enforcement and towards one where tyre safety is seen as a fundamental part of responsible driving.”

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Falken Motorsports kicked off its new season in commanding fashion, leveraging the performance of Falken racing tyres to secure a podium finish at the 58th ADAC Barbarossa Prize. This event, originally intended as the second round of the ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS) but elevated to the season opener after a cancellation, saw Sven Müller and Tim Heinemann claim third place in the No. 44 Porsche 911 GT3 R.

After qualifying 10th despite not completing a perfect lap, the duo demonstrated the tyres’ full potential. Starting driver Müller engaged in fierce battles from the opening lap, and the pair steadily advanced in their teal-and-blue Falken Porsche through the field to reach the top five by mid-race. In the closing stages, Heinemann delivered decisive overtakes, coming within a second of second place on the final lap to seal an early-season podium.

For customer team Max Kruse Racing, the Audi R8 LMS GT3, running on alternative fuel, finished 23rd with Jan Jaap van Roon, Tom Coronel and Rudy van Buuren. The sister car, driven by Dominik and Marcel Fugel alongside Benjamin Leuchter, placed 30th, while both VW Golf GTI TCR entries retired early. Falken Motorsports now prepares for the 57th Adenauer ADAC Rundstrecken-Trophy on 11 April, the third NLS round, building towards the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring (14–17 May).

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Celebrating more than a century in the industry, Galaxy has launched its 100+ years campaign, a tribute to its enduring legacy as a premier name in construction, earthmoving and material handling tyres. The company has launched a campaign video highlighting the brand’s longstanding record of reliability, a reputation built on strength and resilience that has made Galaxy a global leader ready for any challenge.

With a history of serving customers worldwide through specialised, application-driven tyres, the brand’s success has been driven by popular models such as the Hulk, Beefy Baby, HTSR, LDSR, Yardmaster Ultra, MFS 101 SDS and Port Max. Now, drawing upon decades of engineering know-how, Galaxy is poised to expand into the UTV and ATV market this year. This strategic move broadens its portfolio across new off-highway applications while staying true to its commitment to innovation and dependable performance.

Scheduled to run throughout 2026, the campaign reinforces Galaxy’s role as a proven, steadfast partner – equipped to handle the extra load, no matter the destination. Click here  to watch the campaign video.

Angelo Noronha, CEO, Yokohama-ATG, said, “It is a moment of immense pride for all of us at Galaxy as we celebrate over 100 years of excellence in the off-highway tire segment. The campaign showcases the brand’s success over this period, deeply rooted in customer centricity. We are grateful to our global customers, partners and stakeholders for their trust and continued support throughout this journey as the brand marches ahead to the next century.”

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Michelin India has strengthened its retail presence in Pune with the launch of three new Michelin Tyres & Services (MTS) stores in partnership with Darshan Tyres. This expansion marks a significant step in broadening the company’s retail network across Maharashtra, driven by a commitment to bringing its products closer to customers.

Strategically situated in Hadapsar, Camp and Chinchwad, the three facilities span 2,500 square feet, 1,500 square feet and 2,500 square feet, respectively, placing them in key locations to serve the city’s expanding community of premium vehicle owners. Each location is equipped to deliver the full spectrum of Michelin’s passenger car tyre offerings, supported by advanced diagnostic technology and precision equipment for services ranging from alignment and balancing to fitting and repairs.

The venture builds on a longstanding partnership with Darshan Tyres, a well-established name in Pune’s automotive aftermarket with over 35 years of experience. Together, they now operate a network of 11 stores and two advanced detailing studios, combining Michelin’s technical expertise with Darshan Tyres’ deep local knowledge and service-focused reputation.

Shantanu Deshpande, Managing Director, Michelin India, said, ““Pune continues to be one of India’s fastest-growing automotive markets, with a strong base of premium vehicle owners. The launch of three new Michelin Tyres & Services Stores reflects our focused approach to expanding our retail footprint in high-potential markets and bringing our products and services closer to customers. This expansion is aligned with our plans to introduce Made-in-India passenger car tyres, reinforcing our commitment to delivering globally benchmarked products tailored for Indian consumers.”

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Toyo Tire has begun construction of a new research and development centre in Serbia, marking a further consolidation of its European operations.

The Japanese manufacturer held a groundbreaking ceremony recently at its factory site in the Municipality of Indjija. The event was attended by approximately 100 guests, including Aleksandar Vučić, President of Serbia, and Atsushi Saito, Japan’s chargé d’affaires ad interim to Serbia.

Scheduled to become operational in January 2027, the centre will serve as a hub for advanced processing technology. Engineers at the site will focus on developing rubber compounds and materials, as well as composite design and raw material evaluation.

Satoru Moriya, Director at Toyo Tire, said the facility would "establish a European operational model that coordinates R&D, production, and sales functions," with the aim of boosting the competitive advantage of brands such as Proxes.

The facility is located adjacent to the company’s Serbian factory, allowing the group to use existing proving grounds for driving tests. Toyo Tire expects this proximity to increase development efficiency and reduce the time required to bring products to market.

President Vučić described the investment as a sign that Serbia possesses the "human resources, infrastructure, and determination" required for advanced technological development.

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