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WASHINGTON, D. C. (Thursday, June 7, 2018) –– Afternoon downpours could spell disaster for millions of road trippers this summer, thanks to an unlikely suspect – tires. Driving on relatively worn tires at highway speeds in wet conditions can increase average stopping distances by a staggering 43 percent, when compared to new tires, new research from AAA reveals. The difference equates to an additional 87 feet -- more than the length of a semi-trailer truck – of stopping distance.  With nearly 800,000 crashes occurring on wet roads each year, AAA urges drivers to check tread depth, replace tires proactively, and increase following distances significantly during rainy conditions.   

            Although new research by AAA Automotive underscores the dangers of worn tires in wet weather, tire regulations in the Washington metro area may leave drivers at risk, cautions AAA Mid-Atlantic.  In fact, in Virginia and Maryland it is illegal to drive on tires with less than two thirty-seconds of an inch of tread (2/32 inch). Curiously, the District has no such law. In layman’s terms, “if you put a quarter upside down in the tread of a tire, and if the top of George Washington’s head can be seen, your tire depth is less than 2/32 inch, and it is time to replace your tire.” (Once upon a time, the standard measurement was Lincoln’s head on a penny).

Ominously, tires worn down to a  tread depth of 2/32 inch have an increased stopping distance of almost 50 percent, the AAA research shows. In recent days motorists in the Washington metro area have coped with flooding, torrential downpours, swollen creeks and streams, street closures, traffic delays, treacherous road conditions, spinouts and pile-ups. Simply put, tires depend on good tread condition, and, of course, on grooves in their tread, to maintain traction and shed water on wet roads.

“Tires are what keep a car connected to the road,” said John Nielsen, AAA’s managing director of Automotive Engineering and Repair. “Even the most advanced safety systems rely on a tire’s basic ability to maintain traction, and AAA’s testing shows that wear has a significant impact on how quickly a vehicle can come to a stop in wet conditions to avoid a crash.”

In partnership with the Automobile Club of Southern California’s Automotive Research Center, AAA conducted testing to understand performance differences at highway speeds between new all-season tires and those worn to a tread depth of 4/32” on wet pavement. AAA research found that:

• Compared to new tires, tires worn to a tread depth of just 4/32” exhibit:

o   An average increased stopping distance of 87 feet for a passenger car and 86 feet for a light truck.

o   A 33 percent reduction in handling ability, for a passenger car and 28 percent for the light truck on average.

              For the sake of clarity, tire depth is measured in 32nds of an inch, with most new tires starting out at 10/32” or 11/32”. Measuring your remaining tread depth is one of the most important car inspections you can do; you should do it monthly to uncover excessive or uneven wear before it becomes a safety hazard.  Curiously, the District of Columbia surprisingly has no tire depth law on the books setting forward the standards for tire tread. The canon of law as promulgated in both Virginia (§ 46.2-1043) and Maryland (§ 22-405.5) lays it down: a tire is considered unsafe if the tire is so worn that it has less than two thirty-seconds of an inch of tread depth (or 2/32 inch, as it is styled).

“Unfortunately, tires, which are critical to driver safety, are often the last thing on the minds of most motorists. For safety’s sake, and optimal traction, performance, and vehicle handling, drivers must remember that worn tires, tires with too little treads, and tires suffering from irregular tread wear can create unsafe driving conditions and spawn tire-related crashes,” said James Moore, Manager, AAA Car Care Center. “It is axiomatic, the thinner or shallower the tread or the greater the wear, the more easily you may lose traction when driving in the rain, on wet or slick roads, and roads under water, or when running under adverse roadway conditions.”

 “AAA’s testing demonstrates the impact that tire tread has on safety,” said Megan McKernan, manager of the Automobile Club of Southern California’s Automotive Research Center. “If tested side-by-side at 60 mph, vehicles with worn tires would still be traveling at an alarming 40 mph when reaching the same distance it takes for vehicles with new tires to make a complete stop.”

While AAA’s research found that tire performance does vary by brand, price is not necessarily an indicator of quality. In fact, worn tire performance deteriorated significantly for all tires tested, including those at a higher price point. AAA advises shoppers to research options carefully before selecting a replacement tire for their vehicle, and never choose one based on price alone. “With newer cars going longer intervals between routine maintenance at automotive service facilities, drivers may not become alerted to the fact their tires are too worn until it’s too late,” warned Nielsen. “Slip an upside-down quarter between your tire grooves and look at Washington’s head – if you can see all of it, it’s time to start shopping for new tires.”

Unfortunately, current industry guidelines and state laws and regulations frequently recommend that drivers wait until tread depth reaches 2/32” to replace tires. Not only does this recommendation jeopardize a driver’s safety, it minimizes manufacturer warranty costs and is often paired with environmental concerns.

 By prioritizing safety, AAA maintains that tires should be replaced once the tread depth reaches 4/32”, when stopping distances have already begun to deteriorate significantly. AAA’s comprehensive evaluation of tire tread laws and regulations across U.S. states found a state requirements range from inadequate to non-existent. In wet conditions, tires can completely lose contact with the road and skid, also known as hydroplaning. The depth of a tire’s tread plays a significant role: the lower the tread depth, the more likely a car will hydroplane. AAA recommends the following precautions for drivers navigating rain soaked roads:

·         Avoid the use of cruise control in order to respond quickly if the car loses traction with the road.

·         Reduce speed and avoid hard braking and making sharp turns.

·         Increase following distance to allow for ample space if a sudden stop occurs.

·         If the vehicle begins to hydroplane, gently ease off the accelerator and steer in the direction the vehicle should go until traction is regained. Do not brake forcefully as this can cause the vehicle to skid.

The full report, fact sheet and other information regarding this study can be found on the AAA NewsRoom.

AAA recommends a simple tire test to determine whether a vehicle needs new tires. Insert a quarter into the tread, leading with George Washington’s head. At least some of Washington’s head should be hidden in the tread or, AAA says, it is time for new tires (See photo).

AAA Members can have their tires checked at AAA Car Care Centers in the Washington Metro Area . Plus they can always call our Roadside Service to have their tires (and battery) checked for FREE. Or, a AAA Approved Auto Repair retailer will do the same. Find a list here: AAA Approved Auto Repair).

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AAA provides automotive, travel and insurance services to 57 million members nationwide and nearly 78,000 members in the District of Columbia.  AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years.  The not-for-profit, fully tax-paying member organization works on behalf of motorists, who can now map a route, find local gas prices, discover discounts, book a hotel and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. For more information, visit  https://aaa.com