TyreSafe, the UK road safety charity, and the Road Surface Treatments Association (RSTA) have formed a new strategic partnership to help embed the Safe System approach into road safety thinking – recognising that safer journeys rely not only on driver behaviour, but also on vehicle condition and infrastructure performance.
With TyreSafe focusing on Safer Vehicles, particularly the condition and maintenance of tyres to ensure optimum grip, and RSTA championing safer roads through innovative surface treatments, the two organisations are aligning their expertise to tackle the causes of road incidents from multiple angles.
Mike Hansford, Chief Executive of the RSTA, said, “This partnership reflects the essential truth that road safety is a system, not a single solution. Road surface characteristics – such as skid resistance and texture – are critical to helping drivers stop safely, especially in wet conditions. By specifying high-friction surfacing with superior Polished Stone Value (PSV), particularly at junctions, crossings and other high-risk areas, Local Authorities can significantly reduce braking distances and prevent incidents. Working alongside TyreSafe, we aim to raise awareness and influence the engineering choices that ultimately save lives.”
Both hot or cold applied high-friction surfacing materials provide superior long-term grip and skid resistance compared to conventional asphalts. These high PSV surfaces are particularly effective at critical points on the road network, such as roundabouts, traffic signal approaches, and pedestrian crossings, where frequent braking and deceleration occur.
The application of surface dressing or microsurfacing (including cold applied ultra-thin surfacing – CAUTS) to polished road surfaces, will also restore texture and therefore improve skid resistance. Whilst methods of retexturing offer an alternative solution to restoring surface texture, also.
Stuart Lovatt, TyreSafe Chair added, “This collaboration represents a vital shift in how we talk about road safety. Good tyres need good roads to perform properly. A worn, underinflated or defective tyre simply cannot deliver the grip required if the road surface is compromised – and vice versa. That’s why this partnership with RSTA, and also with the Institute of Highway Engineers (IHE), is so important. By promoting a more integrated understanding of tyres and surface treatments, we can work towards a road network that truly supports safe stopping, vehicle control, and ultimately, fewer incidents.”
The two organisations will now work together to educate Local Authority engineers, contractors, and policy makers on the critical relationship between tyre performance and road surface selection. A joint programme of technical content, guidance, and training will support the wider adoption of surface treatments with high PSV in high-risk locations.
TyreSafe will also collaborate with RSTA and IHE to create a new engineering-focused section on its website, helping local authorities and professionals understand how tyre safety and surface design are fundamentally linked.
This partnership marks a key step in delivering the UK’s road safety ambition through shared responsibility – between road designers, vehicle users, and infrastructure professionals – making safer roads a reality for all.
Source: Tyretradenews
