We’re all aware of Continental Tyres, right? If you’re a driver, the chances are you already know about their highly regarded premium tyres. Non-drivers may also be familiar with Continental, particularly if they’ve watched international football tournaments over the years, where Continental has previously been a major sponsor. Presently, they’re also a sponsor of the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), from grassroots to professional levels, including both the men’s and women’s senior teams, and also the FAI Women’s National League.
Their global reputation for advancing tyre technology forward is commonplace, but less well known is that Continental are also the world’s leading electronic automotive safety technology company – so much so that you probably drive a vehicle which incorporates their driver aids, without realising it. It shouldn’t come as a surprise, really, since Continental has been at the forefront of automotive driver safety technologies and initiatives for almost 150 years.
Empowering Irish motorists across the nation
Take their global Vision Zero driver safety campaign. Its aim is to help achieve zero fatalities, zero injuries and zero accidents on the world’s roads. There’s no doubt that it’s a massive ask, but it’s not impossible, and can become more likely to happen if more and more drivers better understand the realities of driving on good or bad tyres.
At the heart of Vision Zero, the driver is THE main pillar of Continental’s focus, front and centre alongside automotive, infrastructure and tyre considerations. It’s this desire to empower Ireland’s motorists with the necessary experience and knowledge they need to make an informed choice about their own driver safety that drives Continental’s Vision Zero Live events.
Scheduled to take place from 13-16 October 2018, members of the public can apply to attend the free event at Mondello Park, Co. Kildare. Participants will get to try a programme of driving experiences that will provide first hand insight into the differences between – and consequences of – driving on good and bad tyres. As you’d expect from a leading manufacturer like Continental, tyres will play a significant role at Vision Zero Live, but it’s not the only technology that will be demonstrated.
As a provider of electronic safety technology to the global automotive industry, attendees of the event will participate in a series of six driving modules which are designed to highlight real world driving scenarios and conditions:
Under Pressure
The importance that technologies play in maintaining tyre pressures, including the highly regarded ‘life saving’ ContiSeal™ solution.
Sharing the Road
How distractions can lead to road accidents, and the tips, tricks and technologies designed to help drivers stay focused. You’d be surprised.
Stop the Crash
The increasing role that ADAS – advanced driver-assistance systems – has in reaching Vision Zero, including autonomous braking, and blind parking. Prepare to be enthralled.
Tread Carefully
Understanding why having good tread depth is so vital, through first hand experience of driving on a skid pan. Brace yourself.
Why Premium?
Fully appreciating the performance difference between premium and budget tyres in testing road conditions, including the legendary Swedish ‘elk test’. Hold on tight.
Black Chili
Why this superior compound makes such a difference to the performance of tyres, and a driving demonstration to prove it. Get your grip.
For this year’s events, Vision Zero Live is being supported by Brake – the road safety charity – and the Institute of Advanced Motorists (and their IAM Roadsmart safety initiative). Both organisations are committed to making motorists safer, are very well regarded by the tyre industry, and do excellent work through their respective driver safety activities and initiatives.
As places for Vision Zero Live event are limited, and based on last years event experience, demand to attend is bound to be very high. With the guidance and expertise of Continental’s driver safety and technology team, those lucky enough to participate will get to learn about – and experience, first hand – the real world differences – and potentially life threatening consequences – of fitting superior premium tyre or sub-standard budget tyres.
Sound a little dramatic? Understandable, for the uninitiated, but for those who participated in previous Vision Zero Live events, the experience has proved to be life changing.
You can view more video clips from last year’s Vision Zero Live event at Mondello Park here.
The resounding feedback from many of those who have already participated at Vision Zero Live can be characterised in four simple words: “Everyone should try this”.
Like Continental, BestDrive are tyre experts too
At BestDrive by Continental we take the safety of Irish motorists very seriously. It’s why our experienced, professional team are ready to answer any questions you may have about tyres. For impartial, expert advice, and the right fitting solutions for your car, SUV, 4×4 or van, pop into your local BestDrive branch today. You can find yours at the top of this page.
BestDrive by Continental – You drive, we care.