An international tyre manufacturer is lobbying the Government to increase the minimum tread depth on tyres to 3mm because it claims tests show the existing limit is unsafe.
Semperit Ireland has written to the Minister for Transport, the chief executive of the Road Safety Authority and the transport spokespersons from the main Opposition parties stating that new research has identified flaws in the existing 1.6mm minimum tread depth.
The study, carried out by Semperit and Auto Express magazine, found that a car travelling at 120km/h in wet conditions on tyres with a 1.6mm tread, would still be doing 80km/h at the point where a car with 3mm of tread depth had stopped.
The tests, carried out on a motorway with four different car makes, found that on average a car on tyres of 1.6mm required on average almost 40 metres, or nine car lengths further to stop at motorway speeds, compared to tyres with a 3mm tread.
Paddy Murphy, general manager, Semperit Ireland, said the reason for the difference was that since the 1.6mm standards was introduced across Europe in 1992, car tyres have become increasingly wider.
"This means a deeper tyre depth is required to channel water away from the road surface to prevent aquaplaning.
"Our tests have shown tread depth has a critical role in determining vehicle safety on wet or dry roads. Drivers need to be fully aware of stopping distances and the crucial part tyres play in improving the car's performance," he said.
The National Car Test examines tread depth as part of its vehicle examination, and motorists with a depth below 1.6mm are advised to replace their tyres before the vehicle is passed.
A sub-group has been set up by the Minister for Transport to examine possible changes to the NCT, including possible changes to the minimum tread depth. The sub-group was set up after a mid-term review of the NCT by Pricewaterhousecoopers was published in July.
Also lobbying on this issue is the Irish Tyre Industry Association (ITIA) which wants motorists whose cars pass the NCT on or close to the legal minimum tread depth to be advised of the condition of their tyres. The ITIA has also lobbied the RSA chief executive Noel Brett on what it sees as the dangers of a tread depth of under 3mm.
Unsurprisingly, if the recommendations of the sector are taken on board the result will be increased tyre sales.
Mr Murphy said: "While it cannot be denied if drivers adopt a replacement depth of 3mm it is likely to lead to increased tyre sales, this is not our motive. It is more a duty of care.
"These test results clearly indicate a significant drop off in performance once tread depths drop below 3mm."
Olivia Mitchell, Fine Gael transport spokeswoman, is among those lobbied by Semperit.
She said the test results, "if accurate, are very worrying and require immediate investigation and verification by the authorities. Revelations like this reinforce the need for independent, objective, robust and ongoing analysis of the causes of road accidents."
She called on the Minister for Transport to consider expanding the RSA's role to include crash investigation.
