WARWICK (October 1, 2024) – Bridgestone, a global leader in tyre manufacturing, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Young Driver, designed to educate up to 320,000 pupils and parents across the UK over the next year. This collaboration, which launches during National Tyre Safety Month, will focus on improving tyre safety awareness among the country’s future motorists.
Through this partnership, Bridgestone aims to reach budding drivers at a critical learning stage, embedding essential tyre safety knowledge into their early driving experiences. Young Driver, the UK’s leading driving school for children aged 10 to 17, offers 140,000 lessons annually at 70 private venues. Students, who get behind the wheel of everything from Vauxhall Corsas to Porsches, learn the basics of driving in a safe, controlled environment under the guidance of qualified instructors. Now, with Bridgestone as its exclusive tyre partner, these lessons will also include crucial education on the importance of tyre maintenance and safety.
Andrea Manenti, Bridgestone’s North Region Vice President, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership: “We’re thrilled to work with Young Driver, a program that leaves a lasting impression on future drivers. Their commitment to road safety mirrors our own mission at Bridgestone. By introducing essential tyre safety messages at an early stage, we’re helping to instill responsible habits that will benefit drivers for years to come.”
The partnership is more than just educational talks—it’s packed with engaging initiatives. Bridgestone will integrate interactive tyre safety quizzes into Young Driver’s official app, and explore further educational opportunities through the Young Driver Foundation, a non-profit arm that collaborates with road safety charities and schools. Students will also have access to fun, informative tyre safety giveaways designed to reinforce their learning and keep them mindful of tyre care.
Bridgestone’s collaboration with Young Driver builds on the company’s ongoing ‘Become a Bridgestone Road Safety Hero’ campaign, which has already conducted hundreds of free tyre checks across the UK. Most notably, the British Motor Show in August saw over 800 tyres inspected, with safety tips and advice provided through a series of eye-catching postcards that emphasized the vital role tyres play in road safety.
Young Driver’s Managing Director, Ian Mulingani, praised the initiative, highlighting the importance of early education: “We’ve been dedicated to creating safer drivers for the past 15 years. By starting the process well before the age of 17, we’re able to build the foundations for a safer driving future. Introducing tyre safety into our curriculum will only strengthen that mission, and we’re delighted to work with Bridgestone to make this a reality.”
The timing of this partnership is critical. A recent tyre safety survey commissioned by Bridgestone found that 73% of UK motorists do not regularly check their tyres, and 35% admitted to never thinking about it at all. These statistics underscore the need for proactive education on tyre safety, particularly among young drivers, who can develop responsible habits early on.
Bridgestone’s collaboration with Young Driver is also a reflection of its broader mission as a sustainable solutions provider. The partnership aligns with the company’s E8 Commitment, which guides its actions across eight key areas, including safety and education. By educating young drivers about the importance of tyre safety, Bridgestone is not only contributing to safer roads but also to its long-term vision of social and environmental responsibility.
For more information on tyre safety for young drivers, visit Bridgestone’s Road Safety Hero Learners page. Adult drivers can also find valuable tyre care tips at Bridgestone Tyre Care Guide.
This partnership between Bridgestone and Young Driver promises to be a key driver of change, equipping future motorists with the skills and knowledge to stay safe on the road, starting from the ground up—quite literally, with their tyres.
