Tyred aims to prevent tyres older than 10 years from being used on buses and coaches in the UK and was inspired by the 2012 death of talented Liverpool musician Michael Molloy. Tony McDonough reports
More than 100 artists, bands and festivals are backing the Tyred campaign against dangerous tyres – inspired by the death of talented Liverpool musician Michael Molloy.
Michael was just 18 when he died in a coach crash on his way back from a music festival in September 2012, along with Kerry Ogden, 23, and the 53-year-old driver Colin Daulby.
The tragedy was caused by a tyre on the coach that was almost 20 years old and Micheal’s mum, Frances Molloy, launched the Tyred campaign to bring in legislation that would prevent tyres older than 10 years from being used on buses and coaches in the UK.
However, despite widespread support from MPs, the transport industry, including National Express, and the public, the Government has repeatedly blocked Parliamentary attempts to introduce a Bill, leaving Frances both angry and perplexed.
Industry support
Now the UK music industry has joined the campaign. Among the music festivals adding their name to the campaign is Liverpool’s Sound City and Bestival, the annual South of England event that Michael was returning from when he was killed.
Currently, there is no law that prevents irresponsible operators from using dangerously old tyres, despite the fact that tyres are the single largest contributing factor when causalities arise from vehicle failings on UK roads.
Saving lives
Frances said: “The support the campaign has received has been tremendous. People are horrified to know that dangerously old tyres are legal, and are rightfully shocked that this is the case.
“Unless legislation is passed, it is impossible to enforce tyre age limit rules and people will continue to be killed and injured due to old tyres. The success of this campaign, to ban dangerously old tyres, will instantly increase the levels of safety on our roads and has the potential to save lives.
“Michael was incredibly passionate about music and was a talented musician himself – that’s why I’m so grateful to have so many influential music industry partners getting behind the campaign and supporting the cause.”
Top priority
Rob Da Bank – co-founder of Bestival, added: “The top priority for anyone attending our festivals is safety, so supporting this campaign is incredibly important to us.
“A huge number of people attending gigs and music festivals travel by bus or coach and put their lives in the hands of the operator and many parents trust that this is a safe method of travel for young people to use.
“By raising awareness of this shocking problem, we can work together to ban the use of dangerously old tyres and ensure that everyone travelling to our events can do so in the safest way possible.”