The overall aim of the study is to propose policy options concerning the use of tyres for improvement of traffic safety.
Centrally to this, is the idea that end users need to make the correct assessment in relation to the tyre condition in order to achieve a level of safety as high as possible. Within this context, the tyre condition is considered in relation to technical elements (tyre inflation pressure, tyre tread depth, tyre damage, tyre age, and meteorological influences) and one information element (driver awareness). The study addresses the topics of tyre usage and the impact on road safety (which
are the potential safety improvements related to tyre usage from a technical perspective) and how can road users be supported to use tyres that have a better safety performance by policy options. The policy options are subject to a cost benefit analysis.
Note that (apart from an accident analysis) the study does not perform new research or new tests, but instead reflects on existing studies from open data sources. By combining these insights and applying them on the study objectives, the relevant conclusions and recommendations are derived.
The report explores the role of road tyres in road safety and accidents relating to useage in
- Winter Tyre – in particular snow
- Tread Depth
- Inflation Pressure
- Tyre Damage
The results are summarised in the following table:
From these results, it is concluded that the use of Winter tyres will reduce grip accidents in winter conditions, and maintaining a tread depth of more than 4 mm will reduce grip accidents in snow conditions. In general maintaining a tread depth above the legal requirement of 1.6 mm will reduce accidents, which are assumed mainly grip accidents on wet and snow covered roads. Regarding tyre blowout failure, it is found that avoiding tyre damage and incorrect inflation pressure will reduce accidents. Typically the combination of damage and incorrect inflation further increases the risk of an accident.