Worn tyres can pose a greater risk than using a mobile phone while driving, according to new academic research. A study commissioned by Halfords and conducted by the Director of the Centre for Automotive Industry Research at Cardiff University has revealed startling differences in braking distances under various conditions.
Stopping Distances Compared
The research found that a car travelling at 70mph with good tyres has a braking distance of 96 metres. However, this distance increases to 111.5 metres if the driver is distracted by a mobile phone. Alarmingly, when the vehicle is equipped with worn tyres that are still within legal limits, the braking distance jumps to 123 metres, making it the most hazardous scenario tested.
Video Demonstration Highlights Dangers
To illustrate these findings, Halfords produced a video comparing stopping distances. The footage shows a car with worn tyres crashing through a barrier that a vehicle with good tyres would have stopped before, emphasising the severe dangers of driving on UK roads with illegal or worn tyre tread. Professor Peter Wells, Director of the Centre for Automotive Industry Research at Cardiff University, commented on the study's implications.
"The impacts of phone usage and worn tyres have never been compared before, and the study suggests that purely from a stopping distance perspective, the impact of worn tyres is generally worse," said Professor Wells. "Drivers need to be aware that tyre performance begins to become impaired long before they reach the legal limit."
Survey Reveals Driver Awareness Gaps
In conjunction with the test, Halfords surveyed 2,000 motorists, uncovering concerning habits and knowledge gaps. Key findings include:
- 10% of drivers only check their tyres during vehicle servicing.
- 30% test their tyres a few times a year.
- 29% admitted they do not know the legal tread limit.
- 28% lack confidence in identifying when tyres need replacement.
Additionally, the survey, conducted via OnePoll.com, found that 31% believe the legal tread limit should be increased beyond 1.6mm, and 53% advocate for stricter penalties for driving with worn tyres.
Calls for Safety Reevaluation
Adam Pay of Halfords emphasised the need for greater awareness. "Most drivers know using a phone behind the wheel is dangerous. What this research shows is that tyres worn down to the current legal limit can actually have an even greater impact on stopping distance," he stated. "The legal minimum shouldn't be mistaken for a safety benchmark - when tyres reach that point, their performance is already significantly reduced, which raises an important question about whether the current limit is where it should be."
This study underscores the critical importance of regular tyre maintenance and heightened driver education to improve road safety across the UK.
