While most drivers understand the dangers of using a mobile phone at the wheel, can the same be said for the road safety implications of driving with severely ‘worn’ tyres?
Minimum tread depth limits are a legal requirement (1.6mm) but even at that limit, the stopping distance of a vehicle is 27 metres more when compared to a vehicle with a standard amount of wear on its tyres.
In fact, that is almost double the 15 metres added on average when a driver is distracted by a mobile phone behind the wheel.
Road safety campaigners are keen to emphasise that this isn’t simply a safety issue, it’s also an awareness problem, with just 7% of drivers believing that worn tyres are more dangerous than mobile phone use behind the wheel, when surveyed.
The reality is that legal minimum tread depth isn’t a safety benchmark, it’s simply there to ensure that the risk of degradation or blowouts doesn’t become significant.
Tyre performance begins to deteriorate well before 1.6mm, with many experts now recommending replacement closer to 2.5mm or even 3mm, depending on the load of the vehicle, frequency of its usage and type of vehicle.
Regular checks, clear replacement thresholds, and driver education all play a role, as you know, but it’s a timely reminder of the importance of those in unison to ensure that fleet vehicles are as safe as can be before they head out on the road.
