The Government of the UK is set to ban the use of tyres aged ten years or more on vehicles running across England, Scotland and Wales, in a bid to improve road safety.

The ban will make it illegal to fit older tyres to the front wheels of lorries, buses and coaches, and to all wheels of minibuses.

The government initiated the move after a Department for Transport (DfT) investigation found that older types suffer corrosion, which increases the risk of failure.

Announcing the ban, Roads Minister Baroness Vere said: “In the same way that you wouldn’t drive a car with faulty brakes, ensuring your tyres are fit for purpose is crucial in making every journey safer.

“Taking this step will give drivers across the country confidence their lorries, buses and coaches are truly fit for use, a safety boost for road users everywhere.”

The new legislation is expected to be placed before parliament later this year. It will also require printing the date of manufacture and re-treading on every tyre, which will help in identifying the older ones.

The government also plans to direct the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to conduct random checks of tyres as part of their routine roadside enforcement activities.

Recently, the UK announced a series of investments to improve road infrastructure and encourage cycling to reduce pressure from public transportation services.

The government will also introduce green number plates for electric vehicles this year to encourage motorists to switch to zero emission cars.