Fleet Operators Cautiously Welcome 3mm Campaign

Following RoadSafe’s launch of a campaign supporting more frequent tyre changing, the influential fleet business has cautiously welcomed the initiative, while warning of soaring costs. Research has shown that wet stopping distances can vary up to 10 metres between 1.6 and 3 millimetre tread depths.

Tony Leigh, chairman of the Association of Car Fleet Operators (ACFO), said: “While the research into tread depth performance in wet conditions is to be welcomed as contributing to the debate on improving road safety, tyres are not the only factor which increases the likelihood of an accident in wet conditions.

“Slowing down and driving to the conditions costs nothing but would probably save more deaths and injuries than changing tyres earlier.

“We all know that oil, grease and dust on road surfaces renders them very slippery when newly wet. Too often drivers don’t lower their overall speed, particularly in summer rain conditions.”

In addition to this Mr Leigh raised concerns about modifying present arrangements between companies. “I’m not sure how leasing companies would react if in the middle of a contract a company made the decision to change tyres at 3mm instead of 2mm which many allow at present. New contract costs would soar if 3mm were to become the norm.