The importance of tyres in winter

Research has pointed to major problems on winter roads, as it has been discovered that while half of UK motorists feel less safe driving during the season, a fifth of drivers do not make any preparations to their car to deal with these adverse problems.

TyreSafe, the UK's premier tyre safety organisation, found that the leading concern is that people are more likely to have an accident because the roads feel more slippery. Winter weather tyres, which are designed especially to work against cold, damp conditions and provide better grip, could be one way to counteract this.

Stuart Jackson, chairman of TyreSafe, said that such an item can offer "considerable safety improvements" for a good number of months of the year, as driving conditions are typically cold or damp for long periods.

He continued: "There is a misconception that they only offer better performance in snow and ice, but this is a very outdated view. Technology has advanced significantly and modern winter weather tyres provide much better safety in a range of conditions over a substantial part of the year."

Performance of good winter tyres is better when temperatures fall below 7 degrees C, TyreSafe explained. Usually, standard tyres harden and lose grip, though the seasonal alternatives contain more natural rubber and silica compounds to reduce this process. 

The organisation also explained that tests from the British Tyre Manufacturers Association found that a car braking at 60mph on wet roads at 5 degrees C stopped over one car length shorter when fitted with these upgrades.

TyreSafe was particularly quick to stress the issue because unlike other European countries, the UK does not have legislation that forces people to fit new tyres for certain times of the year.

Mr Jackson continued: "Last year's extreme conditions left many drivers stranded or involved in an accident as they lost grip and were unable to stop properly. As the majority of rush hour journeys in the winter occur when the temperature is below seven degrees, I would encourage all drivers to seriously consider fitting winter weather tyres to ensure they remain safe."

Tyre laws that apply in the UK at the moment include the need to have a minimum of 1.6mm in a continuous band throughout the central three-quarters of the tread width and throughout the whole of the circumference. Any cuts in excess of 25mm measured in any direction on the outside of the tyre will also deem the tyre illegal. All tyres with temporary status are also not allowed to go faster than 50mph.