NTDA's broadside
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THE ARGUMENT over Britain's tyre law relating to tread depth continues with another broadside from the National Tyre Distributors' Association.
According to Association president Richard Davies: "The danger of skidding and aquaplaning increases dramatically as the remaining tread depth of the tyre decreases."
In the light of reports from the AA that a normal-use radial ply tyre will need about 3mm of tread to cope with winter conditions and the Motor magazine article, "Legal but lethal" the NTDA has made representation to Transport Minister Norman Fowler for a re-appraisal of the present law.
The NTDA is advocating a tread depth of 1.6mm across the whole breadth of the tyre, This would bring the UK into line with several countries, including Austria, Japan, Sweden, Switzerland and the USA.
NTDA says tests show that the stopping distance on 1 mm of surface water at 9 6.5km/h 60mph for tyres with a tread depth of 2mm was 109mm (360ft). This increased to 414m (1360ft) for tyres that are "newly bald".
the NTDA rejects the DTp argument that the additional cost to vehicle owners would not be justified by the probable increase in road safety that might arise from a change in the legislation.