UK Drivers Overestimate Wet-Weather Stopping Ability as Tyre Safety Month Begins

UK motorists may be considerably less prepared for emergency braking in wet conditions than they believe, according to new research released to coincide with Tyre Safety Month.

Research published by TyreSafe found that 83% of drivers believe they are in full control of their vehicle’s stopping distance.

But when motorists were questioned about stopping in wet conditions at motorway speeds, only 6% correctly identified the additional distance required.

The findings have been released as Tyre Safety Month gets underway throughout October under the campaign theme “Act Before You REact”.

With autumn bringing wetter roads, darker journeys and deteriorating driving conditions, TyreSafe is urging motorists to check their tyres before they find themselves relying on them in an emergency.

Drivers confident – but stopping distances poorly understood

One of the most striking findings from TyreSafe’s research is the apparent difference between driver confidence and understanding of how a vehicle behaves when conditions deteriorate.

Some 83% of motorists surveyed said they believed they were in full control of their vehicle’s stopping distance.

However, just 6% correctly identified the stopping distance required in wet conditions at motorway speeds.

The figures come from separate questions and do not mean that every confident driver misunderstood the wet-weather question.

Nevertheless, they highlight a potentially important gap between how prepared motorists feel and their understanding of the factors that determine whether a car can stop safely.

Driver reaction is only one part of the equation.

Vehicle speed, road conditions and the condition of the tyres can all influence what happens once a driver presses the brake pedal.

More than a third experienced a near miss

The research also found that 38% of drivers had experienced a near miss during the previous 12 months.

Despite that, only 11% said they checked their tyres afterwards.

That is one of the reasons behind this year’s Tyre Safety Month message.

Motorists cannot control when another vehicle pulls out, an obstruction appears in the road or sudden braking becomes necessary.

They can, however, control whether their own vehicle is properly prepared.

And the four small areas of tyre rubber connecting a car to the road play a critical role in braking, steering and cornering.

Why wet roads make tyre condition particularly important

Tyre tread isn’t simply there to satisfy the MOT tester.

One of its most important functions is moving water away from underneath the tyre so that the rubber can maintain contact with the road.

When water builds up faster than a tyre can disperse it, the tyre can lose contact with the road surface.

This is aquaplaning.

In severe cases, the driver can temporarily lose effective steering, braking and acceleration control.

The amount of tread remaining on a tyre therefore becomes particularly important during heavy rain or when travelling through standing water.

TyreSafe warns that tyres become significantly more susceptible to aquaplaning once tread depth falls below 3mm, even though that remains above the minimum legal tread requirement for a car.

What is the legal tyre tread depth?

For most cars and light vans in Great Britain, the legal minimum tyre tread depth is 1.6mm.

That tread must be present across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tyre and around its entire circumference.

But motorists should not interpret 1.6mm as a target.

It is the legal minimum.

Tyre performance, particularly in wet conditions, can deteriorate as tread wears down.

Drivers should therefore monitor their tyres rather than waiting until they are visibly close to the legal limit.

Worn tyres can also result in an MOT failure

Tyres are an important part of the MOT inspection.

An MOT tester checks aspects including tyre condition, suitability and tread depth.

Where a tyre fails to meet the required minimum tread-depth standard, it can be recorded as a dangerous defect.

Other tyre problems can also result in MOT failure depending on their severity.

But having a current MOT certificate does not mean motorists can ignore their tyres until the next test.

Drivers are legally responsible for ensuring their vehicle remains roadworthy whenever it is used.

A tyre could be legal and roadworthy on the day of an MOT and subsequently become damaged or wear below the permitted limit months later.

Regular checks remain the driver’s responsibility.

Remember ACT: Air pressure, Condition and Tread

TyreSafe is using the acronym ACT during its 2026 campaign to encourage motorists to concentrate on three basic tyre checks:

Air pressure

Tyres should be inflated to the pressure specified by the vehicle manufacturer.

The correct figures can usually be found in the vehicle handbook and are often displayed inside the driver’s door opening or fuel-filler flap.

Incorrect pressure can adversely affect handling and grip as well as causing irregular tyre wear.

Condition

Drivers should look around each tyre for visible damage.

Cuts, cracks, bulges, embedded objects or other obvious deterioration should not be ignored.

A tyre that appears abnormal should be inspected by a professional.

Tread

Check that there is sufficient tread remaining across the tyre.

The legal minimum for most cars is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tread and around the complete circumference.

TyreSafe recommends carrying out tyre checks at least once a month and before longer journeys.

Autumn makes tyre checks particularly worthwhile

October is a particularly appropriate time to inspect tyres.

Days become shorter, temperatures begin to fall and wetter weather increases the likelihood of drivers encountering standing water and slippery road surfaces.

A tyre problem that may have been less obvious during dry summer driving can become considerably more important when the tyre is being asked to clear water while braking or cornering.

Tyre pressure should also be monitored as conditions change.

Modern cars equipped with a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System can warn of significant pressure problems, but motorists should not treat the system as a substitute for regular physical checks.

What should you do if your car aquaplanes?

Aquaplaning can be alarming because steering may suddenly feel light and the vehicle may stop responding normally.

The priority is to avoid abrupt inputs that could further unsettle the vehicle.

Drivers should ease off the accelerator smoothly and keep the steering as steady as possible while the tyres regain contact with the road.

Sudden steering or braking should generally be avoided where circumstances allow.

More importantly, drivers can reduce the likelihood of aquaplaning in the first place by slowing down when roads are wet, avoiding standing water where possible and ensuring their tyres have adequate tread and the correct pressure.

An MOT certificate doesn’t guarantee your tyres are safe today

There is a broader message behind Tyre Safety Month that applies to much more than tyres.

An MOT is an assessment of a vehicle at the time it is presented for testing.

It is not a guarantee that every component will remain roadworthy for the following 12 months.

Government guidance makes clear that drivers remain responsible for ensuring their vehicle is safe to drive even when it has a current MOT certificate.

Tyres are one of the easiest areas for motorists to monitor themselves.

Checking their pressure, condition and tread takes only a few minutes.

And unlike many mechanical faults hidden underneath a vehicle or behind an engine-management warning light, many potentially serious tyre problems can be spotted before a journey begins.

TyreSafe’s message for October is therefore deliberately straightforward: Act Before You REact.

Because the moment a driver has to make an emergency stop on a wet road is a particularly bad time to discover that their tyres were not as prepared as they thought.

External sources

TyreSafe – primary campaign/research source

TyreSafe – Latest news and 2026 Tyre Safety Month research

TyreSafe – aquaplaning and tread-depth guidance

TyreSafe – Aquaplaning and tyre tread advice

GOV.UK – legal tyre tread and roadworthiness requirements

GOV.UK – Check your vehicle is safe to drive

DVSA – MOT tyre inspection requirements

DVSA MOT Inspection Manual – Wheels and tyres