Sharp gravel suspected in at least eight tyre failures near Kärkölä

At least eight tyre failures have been reported on gravel roads in Kärkölä and nearby Nikinoja in recent weeks, with drivers suspecting sharp crushed stone spread on the roads, Yle reported. One family says five tyres were damaged.

The failures occurred on Koukuntie and Metsä-Marttilantie in Kärkölä, and on Mommilantie in Nikinoja, across the border in Mäntsälä. All are public state roads. While local social media posts claimed there had been 10 or 11 incidents, Yle confirmed eight by contacting people who had joined the discussion.

Marja Salminen’s family had five tyres punctured on Mommilantie within three weeks of new crushed stone being spread there. Three of the family’s four cars were affected: two tyres on her daughter’s car, two on Salminen’s and one on her partner’s. Her partner repaired the tyres, but the daughter’s car also needed a new wheel rim after she drove some distance before realising a tyre had gone flat. Sharp pieces of crushed stone were found in three tyres.

The Southeast Finland regional vitality centre is investigating the cause. By Tuesday, it had received three reports alleging that crushed stone spread on Koukuntie had caused tyre damage. The centre asked the contractor to review its records, but those have so far revealed nothing that would explain the failures. Taking a sample of the stone for visual inspection is one option under consideration. The contractor did not comment to Yle.

The centre will consider the number of cases and traffic volumes on the road when assessing possible compensation. Drivers who believe damage resulted from poor road maintenance can apply for compensation through the Lapland regional vitality centre, the centre’s maintenance unit head, Tuomas Vasama, said. He noted that claims may be difficult to assess if the road is repaired before the problem can be verified.

Members of a local hunting party also reported two tyre failures over the weekend after driving on the roads. One driver fitted a spare tyre at the roadside, while another car had to be towed to Lahti. On Monday, a fresh layer of gravel had been laid on Metsä-Marttilantie.