Skidding in the Wet Our Greatest Driving Fear – Survey

A consumer poll indicates that half of all UK drivers put skidding on wet roads as their worst nightmare – and a the huge increase in rainfall in the past few weeks across the country, they have grounds to be concerned. Almost 1,000 motorists took part in the poll CCB fast.MAP undertook in November for the mytyres.co.uk online tyre retail portal, and 55 per cent put skidding out of control as their worst nightmare. Breaking down on the road was the second highest fear and, interestingly, getting a puncture only concerned three per cent of motorists.

Evidence suggests that economic conditions are prompting more and more drivers are postponing the purchase of replacement tyres, and therefore the likelihood of skidding accidents has risen. This worrying trend has not been helped by the above average rainfall experienced of late in many parts of the UK. Mytyres.co.uk notes that many road safety campaigners recommend not waiting until tyres reach the legally permitted 1.6mm tread depth – in the interest of safety, motorists should start to consider replacing tyres at around 3mm.