Record rainfall reinforces tyre tread check requirements

With Ireland having just experienced one of the wettest winters since records began, road safety organisation, TyreSafe, is reminding drivers about the need to ensure their tyres have sufficient tread depth to keep them safe on wet roads.

TyreSafe, is reminding drivers about the need to ensure their tyres have sufficient tread depth.

“Insufficient tread depth could not only see you falling foul of the law, but it will also hamper your car’s ability to brake, accelerate and corner safely,” Stuart Jackson, chairman TyreSafe explained.

Current law requires car drivers to have a minimum of 1.6mm of tread across the central three quarters of the tyre around its entire circumference.

Adequate tread depth is particularly important in the winter months as the tread grooves help to remove water from the road surface, allowing the tyre to grip the road properly. Insufficient tread depth can lead to a loss of grip and longer stopping distances, with potentially devastating consequences.