Tread Safely Week

Roadsafe has organised a ‘Tread Safely Week’ as part of the UK’s 3mm replacement campaign to take place from 3 – 9 October 2005. An information pack has also been issued in conjunction with this, urging motorists to change their tyres before they reach the legal limit of 1.6mm.

Tread Safely week will see Roadsafe undertaking targeted press activity, broadcast interviews and consumer roadshows to bring home the message of the importance of checking tyre tread depth and considering taking action to replace tyres which could underperform in an emergency situation.

Adrian Walsh of Roadsafe describes how Tread Safely Week is aimed at raising awareness among motorists of the potential risks they face when driving on tyres with less than 3mm of tread: “The 1.6mm legal limit for tyre tread was set 13 years ago but cars, road conditions and driving styles have changed a lot since then.

“Our own research carried out an MIRA earlier this year has demonstrated that tyres of 3mm tread depth had a 25 per cent better performance than those at 1.6mm. In terms of stopping distance this represents an extra eight metres (25ft) in wet conditions.

“We believe drivers should consider changing their tyres when the tread depth reaches 3mm in order to maximise their chances should they need to make an emergency stop. Simply put, it could make the difference between life and death to the driver and their passengers.”

Available to all tyre retailers, the information pack contains point of sale material including posters and leaflets, which feature a detachable tyre tread gauge. The material is emblazoned with the campaign’s distinctive yellow and black 3mm logo and includes an endorsement from RoSPA, the safety organisation supporting Roadsafe’s initiative.

The point of sale material is available to retailers now at a cost of £14.75 per pack for NTDA members and £18.45 for non NTDA members.