MOTORISTS have been warned that driving with a common part of their car worn out is worse than being drunk.
Driving with worn tyres in winter increases stopping distances by seven times as much, according to a new study.
AlamyDrivers are being urged to check the condition of their tyres this winter[/caption]
The research shows that stopping distances typically increase by more than a third when driving a car with tyres at the legal limit of 1.6mm of tread compared to those with 4mm or more.
For the first time, experts have compared the impact of worn tyres in wet, winter weather conditions and alcohol consumption on stopping distance.
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Up to 35% of fatal road collisions are alcohol-related and research has shown driving under the influence increases reaction times and therefore stopping distance.
But shockingly, it seems worn tyres have an even greater impact.
The study, conducted by the Director of the Centre for Automotive Industry Research at Cardiff University and commissioned by Halfords, analysed a raft of evidence on the subject.
It found that on average, consuming the amount of alcohol to put a driver on the legal limit increases reaction time by 18% or 120 milliseconds.
At 70mph, this leads to an increased stopping distance of 12ft 5ins.
However, the difference between good condition tyres with 4mm of tread and those with just 1.6mm tread – in the same wet, winter driving conditions – is a huge 36%.
That adds up to an additional 89ft of stopping distance.
The results have prompted calls for the government to increase the current tread limit, with experts claiming 1.6mm is ‘too low’.
Professor Peter Wells, of the University of Cardiff, said: “Braking distances are an indicator of general levels of grip. So, if worn tyres increase braking distances by a third, we can reasonably assume general levels of grip in the tyres are reduced by this amount too.
“Therefore, worn tyres will also have a significant impact on car control on the road in other situations, such as cornering.
“This means it is more likely you’ll lose control of the car in the first place if you have worn tyres.
“When we began the research, we didn’t know which of the two factors – alcohol or worn tyres – would have the largest impact on stopping distance as the data have never been compared before.
“To demonstrate that worn tyres increase stopping distance seven times more than alcohol is a significant finding.
“The research also highlights how dangerous supposedly legal tyres are when it comes to grip levels. In my opinion, the current legal limit is too low.”
Graham Stapleton, CEO of Halfords, said: “Every year we advise huge numbers of UK motorists that their tyres are dangerously low on tread, but unfortunately many drive away assuming that, if they’re legal, they must be fine.
“The reality is their safety is already significantly compromised, and this will only increase as they experience more wear.”