TyreSafe says 83% of drivers believe they are in full control of their stopping distance, but only 6% correctly identified the stopping distance in wet conditions at motorway speeds in its latest research. The findings lead Tyre Safety Month 2026, which begins on 1 October under the theme Act Before You REact.
The month-long UK campaign asks road users to check their tyres before an unexpected event on the road makes their condition critical. Its first weekly theme, “The Great British Brake Myth”, focuses on assumptions about braking and stopping distances in wet weather. Later weeks will cover driver confidence, near misses and the steps drivers take afterwards.
The 83% and 6% figures describe answers to different survey questions. They do not show how many of the confident respondents answered the stopping-distance question incorrectly, or measure how those drivers would perform in an emergency. TyreSafe’s public campaign page gives the headline findings but does not set out the sample size, question wording or the answer it counted as correct.
TyreSafe’s practical message is ACT: check air pressure, condition and tread every month and before long journeys. It advises drivers to use the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended pressure, look for visible damage such as cuts or bulges, and check that tread is sufficient. Anyone unsure about a tyre’s condition should seek a professional inspection.
According to campaign information supplied to Tyre News Media, Goodyear plans to carry the message through its HiQ retail network and TruckForce service network as part of a new Community Champions programme. The proposed activity is intended to reach motorists, fleets and professional drivers, with community engagement continuing beyond October.
TyreSafe also says Micheldever will display campaign graphics on screens in its workshops and customer-facing outlets. The British Tyre Manufacturers’ Association plans to share the campaign through its committees, while the National Tyre Distributors Association plans member communications and promotional support.
For tyre businesses, the campaign provides a common message to use in conversations with customers and fleets. TyreSafe has made graphics, videos, posters and guidance available through its Tyre Safety Month resources. The value of the survey findings will be easier to assess in detail if TyreSafe publishes its methodology and the precise wet stopping-distance question.
Tags: Tyre Safety Month 2026, TyreSafe, Act Before You REact, tyre safety, wet stopping distance, tyre pressure, tyre tread, tyre condition, Goodyear HiQ, TruckForce
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