Page 1070 - Xmo Strata - Bulletin Archive
P. 1070
Health, Safety & Environmental Bulletin No 396
06 February 2014
Tyre Tread
Most people know that the legal minimum tread depth on tyres in the UK is 1.6mm, but what is
surprising is the alleged significant performance drop once tread depth is less than 3mm.
The graph below shows the increase in stopping distance in the wet as the tread depth reduces. As can
be seen the stopping distance increased dramatically after 3mm.
In tests carried out for Auto Express, vehicles travelling at 70mph and braking with full ABS, the
vehicles with 1.6mm of tread were still doing 40mph when the vehicles with 3mm stopped (see video
at http://www.tyresforlife.co.uk/www/tyres_for_life_uk_en/themes/tread-depth/video_footage_en.html).
After much discussion, and following analysis of data from a number of sources, Xmo Strata has
implemented a policy that all company owned vehicles will have their tyres changed at 3mm, and we
are in negotiation with lease companies to also replace leased vehicle tyres when they are worn down to
a 3mm tread depth.
Please see www.3mmtyres.co.uk for further information.
