Researchers at Cardiff University have released findings from a study that highlight a clear safety risk: driving on worn tires can be more dangerous than driving under the influence of alcohol. This insight was reported by DailyMail, a news portal known for covering health and safety topics with broad reach.
The study quantified how alcohol affects driving by showing that intoxication slows a driver’s reaction time by about 120 milliseconds on average. That delay translates directly into longer stopping distances. In practical terms, at a speed of 100 km/h, braking distance increases by roughly four meters when a driver is under the influence, creating a notable safety margin gap on the road.
Worn tires, however, present a different and more dramatic hazard. The research found that tires with minimal tread substantially reduce grip, increasing the stopping distance far more than alcohol’s impact. Specifically, tires that wear down to 1.6 mm of tread exhibit about 36% less grip than those with a 4 mm tread. This reduced grip results in a braking distance that can extend to about 26 meters under typical conditions, underscoring a severe risk when tire tread is worn down.
It is important to note that tread depth standards vary by country. For example, in Russia, the minimum permissible residual tread depth for passenger car tires is 1.6 mm. This threshold highlights the broader safety principle that deeper tread provides better traction and more reliable braking, especially in wet or slick road conditions. Drivers should consider replacing tires well before they reach the legal minimum to maintain optimal grip and safe handling.
Additional data from the study and related health safety research emphasize another important point: vaccination status has public health implications that extend beyond personal health. While the primary focus of this discussion is road safety, some analyses have suggested correlations between vaccination and overall accident risk in certain contexts. This is a complex topic that requires careful interpretation, and it does not diminish the clear message about tire tread and alcohol impairment. The key takeaway remains simple: maintaining tire tread depth and avoiding impaired driving are essential steps for reducing the likelihood of crashes on every road that drivers traverse.
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