Half of tyres below legal tread depth requirement

Almost half of all motorists in Ireland are driving on worn and unsafe tyres according to the Irish Tyre Industry Association.
A recent survey conducted by the association revealed that 46% of tyres brought in for replacement failed the legal tread depth limit of 1.6mm. As part of Tyre Safety Awareness week, which runs from 22nd to 27th of October, all 180 ITIA garages throughout the country are offering free tyre checks.

ITIA Chief Executive, Jack Farrell commented on the findings: “This latest research shows the safety message is still not getting through to drivers. Despite National Car Testing and the ongoing carnage on our roads, motorists continue to exhibit extraordinary neglect - even irresponsibility - when it comes to tyres.”

Mr Farrell revealed the stopping distance of tyres with the legal thread depth of 1.6mm can be twice that of new tyres. “Clearly, allowing tyres to go below this legal limit is really dicing with death - yet this survey indicates thousands of motorists are doing it.”

He added that the Gardaí will be proactive over the coming months in relation to this issue. “Of course the risk these motorists are exposing themselves to goes well beyond financial penalty - lives are at stake here. Slippery surfaces combined with poor visibility make winter a time when demands on tyres are at their highest. We are appealing to motorists to ensure their tyres are in a fit condition for winter by dropping into their local tyre dealer for a free tyre check.”