[kingsway]

I read a recent report where tests had shown that stopping distances with tyres at the UK legal mininum tread-depth of 1.6 mm were twice as long as those of an identical tyre/car with 3mm of tread... So that small difference - even with a tyre that is not time-expired (very hard rubber) - could make the difference between having a collision and avoiding one....


I'm a Driving Instructor so regularly have people practicing 'emergency stops' in my cars - usually at 20mph or so.

My little automatic which also had its original 2003 tyres on it, would lock-up all four wheels and skid very nicely - even in the dry ! A set of new Michelins all round has made a world of difference...

It all depends on how you drive and the area you drive in. For me, life is short enough as it is. I also drive in a place where roads are very narrow, winding and congested.

The novices (my pupils) are seldom a problem, but there are plenty of so-called full-licence-holders in other vehicles who scare the hell out of me on a daily basis! I need all the braking-effort and traction I can get!