A NEW set of EU rules could save Brits billions on “wasted” tyres and make roads safer from today.
Experts estimate that up to half of all tyres are scrapped unnecessarily early, costing motorists heavily each year.
European Regulation R117-04, which has just come into force, significantly raises the standards tyres must meet before they can be sold.
Before the law change, tyres had to have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm and meet strict requirements on braking performance when new.
While the former rule remains in place, the new guidelines mean that manufacturers will have to prove that their rubber can handle braking to the same level throughout their lifecycle.
This means that older tyres will be expected to meet the same minimum threshold for braking in wet weather as they did when they were new.
One obvious impact of this is to radically improve tyre safety, with buyers able to rely on a guaranteed level of braking performance regardless of tyre age.
According to the RAC, a car’s stopping distance can as much as double in wet conditions so even small margins can make the difference between stopping in time and a nasty smash.
As such, the new rules will help drivers stay safer on the roads in treacherous conditions and give them peace of mind that they won’t find themselves in a collision just because their tyres are older.
However, the EU is also implementing the rules to save motorists hefty costs and protect the environment by reducing the premature scrapping of tyres.
Research by Michelin suggests that around 50% of tyres are chucked out before reaching 3mm tread depth, let alone the 1.6mm limit.
Estimates suggest that this is costing drivers a collective £5.9 billion annually across the continent by increasing the frequency of tyre changes.
Not only that, but tyres are difficult to dispose of and obviously not biodegradable so overconsumption is harmful to the environment.
It is not clear whether the UK Government will follow suit on the law but any European-made tyres sold here will have to conform to the new standards.
You can check whether your tyres are affected by looking at the label on your next set.
If they have an EU label and were manufactured from now on they will be subject to the regulations.
Following Brexit, many tyres here also bear a special UK-specific label, but if they are made by a major manufacturer then they are unlikely to differ from the ones for the European market.
It comes after a car pro revealed how to keep your windscreen safe from tree sap in the summer months.
