Millions of British motorists could be breaking the speed limit without realising it because of worn tyres, new research has found.
Around one in seven drivers may be speeding as a result of legal, but worn, tyres increasing their stopping distances significantly.
If a vehicle is travelling at 60mph with worn tyres at the legal limit of 1.6mm, it has the same stopping distance as a vehicle travelling at 68mph with tyres in a good condition of 4mm.
The impact of worn tyres on braking distance increases significantly the faster a driver is going.
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Any driver travelling on the motorway at the national speed limit of 70mph could see a massive increase in their braking distance, heightening the danger of an accident.
Around 14 per cent – or five million vehicles - are estimated to have illegal or dangerously worn tyres.
The research is based on the number of vehicles that receive tyre advisory warnings when checked into Halfords garages.
Graham Stapleton, CEO of Halfords, said: “We quite rightly see regular safety campaigns around drink driving, speeding, and the use of mobile phones whilst driving, and all are potentially very dangerous.
“But the importance of having safe tyres continues to be overlooked as a serious safety issue impacting every road user.
“It sounds simple, but your tyres are the only thing connecting your car - and therefore passengers - to the road.
“That is why Tyre Safety Month is so important for getting this important safety message across and highlighting that more should be done to show road users that they might be unknowingly putting themselves in danger.”
A car travelling on worn tyres at 30mph will effectively be travelling at 34mph, while a 70mph car with effectively travel at 80mph.
With the prevalence of new 20mph speed limit roads, Halfords is warning drivers that people they should be travelling at 18mph if they have worn tyres.
Anyone driving with tyres below the legal limit of 1.6mm will have an even greater stopping distance and should have their tyres checked and replaced.
Data shows that three out of five dangerous defects identified at the MOT stage are down to the tyres.
Mr Stapleton added: “This research shows if you have worn tyres, even if you drive to the speed limit, you’re effectively speeding.
“Worn tyres take longer to stop, and that could be the difference between a serious accident, or a near miss.
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The sign shows the impact of worn tyres on the 50mph speed limit
HALFORDS
“To help road users, Halfords is offering free tyre checks to anyone in the UK. We’re doing all we can to support road users during the cost of living crisis to keep them motoring safely.”
