With pupils across the UK going back to school this week, tyre manufacturer Bridgestone has drawn on new research to highlight the importance of all road users applying best practice in vehicle maintenance.

Tyre tread depth was highlighted by the body as being of primary concern, as many motorists are failing to regularly carry out inspections of their tyres – a situation that could lead to many drivers being unaware that their car is not roadworthy and potentially presents a danger to themselves and others.

Indeed, research published by road safety organisation TyreSafe recently showed that as many as ten million vehicles on the nation's roads could be running with illegally-worn tyres.

Bridgestone managing director Robin Shaw commented: "We were certainly alarmed by Tyresafe's tyre research, which confirmed our fears that there is a poor attitude towards tyre safety among UK motorists.

"A vehicle's tyres are the only safety critical component in contact with the road and if illegal, then the effectiveness of the braking and steering systems are significantly compromised."

The warning adds to a study carried by Bridgestone in 2014 that revealed how one-third of parents (35 per cent) have witnessed near misses outside schools during the morning rush hour, while 55 per cent stated they were worried about the safety of their children on their way to school.