Motorists should take safety precautions when experiencing a tyre breakdown

MOTORISTS should take safety precautions when experiencing a tyre breakdown by the roadside. That was the message from the Irish Tyre Industry Association (ITIA) as it launched its REACT (Roadside Emergency Action Concerning Tyres) initiative to ensure tyre fitters and repairers keep safe in carrying out work on our motorways.

The ITIA advises the following to motorists in the event of a tyre breakdown on a motorway or national primary route:

1. Park as near to the left--hand edge of the hard shoulder as possible. If you cannot do this, warn other drivers by switching on your hazard warning lights

2. If available, use the roadside phone to contact the Gardai as this lets them know your exact location. Note many insurance policies now come with a breakdown assistance service.

3. Do not place any warning device such as a triangle on the motorway.

4. Wear a high visibility vest, ideally one with sleeves (always carry one in your car).

5. Do not walk on the motorway. Leave your car through the left-hand door and make sure your passengers do the same. Leave animals in the vehicle or, in an emergency, keep them under control on the verge.

6. Await help on the embankment side of the motorway, well behind any crash barrier.

7. Most new vehicles come with an inflator kit instead of a spare wheel - make sure you know who to use it!

Donal Dempsey, the new Chief Executive of the ITIA, said the average motorist needs to be always mindful of the vulnerable position they may find themselves in when they experience a flat tyre on a motorway.

‘For tyre technicians, working on the roadside is an everyday task, where dangers from passing traffic are often compounded by adverse weather conditions. The ITIA believes professional training is required to ensure the safety of these technicians.’

The REACT initiative involves commercial tyre technicians undergoing a specialist training day, on foot of which they are accredited with a REACT card, which the ITIA would like to see become mandatory for roadside fitters.