Worn tyres can pose an even greater danger than using a mobile phone behind the wheel, according to new academic research. The study, commissioned by Halfords and conducted by the Director of the Centre for Automotive Industry Research at Cardiff University, highlights critical differences in braking distances that could impact road safety across the UK.
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 car has worn tyres that are still within legal limits, the braking distance extends further to 123 metres, demonstrating a significant safety risk.
Visual Demonstration of Risks
To illustrate these findings, Halfords created a video that compares stopping distances between three scenarios: a car with good tyres, a car with worn tyres, and a car with good tyres but a driver using a phone. The video vividly shows the vehicle with worn tyres smashing through a barrier that the car with good tyres would have stopped before, underscoring the dangers of driving on UK roads with illegal tyre tread.
Professor Peter Wells, Director of the Centre for Automotive Industry Research at Cardiff University, commented on the study's implications. He stated, "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. Of course, the impact of phone usage will be variable, but the findings offer a strong guideline as to the dangers. Drivers need to be aware that tyre performance begins to become impaired long before they reach the legal limit."
Survey Highlights Driver Awareness Gaps
In conjunction with the test, Halfords conducted a survey of 2,000 motorists, revealing concerning trends in tyre maintenance and knowledge. The survey found that 10 per cent of drivers only check their wheels during vehicle servicing, while 30 per cent test them a few times a year. Additionally, 29 per cent admitted they do not know what the legal tread limit is, and 28 per cent lack confidence in identifying when tyres need replacement.
The study, conducted via OnePoll.com, also uncovered that 31 per cent of respondents believe the legal tread limit should increase beyond the current 1.6mm, and 53 per cent advocate for stricter penalties for driving with less grippy tyres.
Industry Calls for Safety Reevaluation
Adam Pay of Halfords emphasised the importance of these findings for road safety. He said, "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. 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 research and survey data highlight the urgent need for increased driver education and potential regulatory reviews to enhance safety on UK roads, as worn tyres prove to be a hidden hazard compared to more widely recognised distractions like mobile phone use.
