Safe Tread Alliance Fights for Tire Safety Standards

The newly formed Safe Tread Alliance (STA) is calling for modernized tire safety standards and the elimination outdated tread depth check practices.

A coalition of tire industry leaders, safety advocates and non-profit partners, STA was founded Alex Bebiak, president of the Road Ready Foundation, and Jamie Ward, CEO of Tire Discounters Inc. and president of the Ohio Tire & Automotive Association.

"STA brings together a powerhouse team of industry experts dedicated to addressing tread awareness and advancing tire safety education."

The group held its first board meeting on Nov. 3, the day before the start of the 2025 SEMA Show, in Las Vegas, Nev.

"Every year, thousands of crashes across the U.S. are linked to worn or unsafe tires," say STA officials.

"Between 2019 and 2023, the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) documented 2,740 fatal crashes and 3,136 deaths involving tire-related factors.

"The Safe Tread Alliance believes these tragedies can be prevented through stronger tread standards, better consumer education and a renewed focus on proactive maintenance.

Ending the 'penny test'

STA is proposing that consumers replace the old Lincoln "penny test" with a tread depth test using quarters.

"For decades, drivers have been told to use the 'penny test' to judge tire safety placing a penny in the tread and assuming the tire is safe if Lincoln’s head is partially covered. However, research shows that by the time a tire reaches the penny’s benchmark of 2/32 of an inch, its stopping distance, traction and ability to resist hydroplaning are already dangerously compromised."

"The penny test has given Americans a false sense of security for far too long,” says Bebiak. “When lives are on the line, good enough isn’t good enough. It’s time to retire this outdated method and give drivers a safer standard.”

Instead, STA is calling for widespread adoption of the "quarter test, a simple, accessible method for determining when tires are no longer safe," say STA officials.

"When a quarter is placed into the tire’s tread with Washington’s head down, if the top of his head is visible, the tread depth is at or below 4/32 of an inch - the point where performance and wet-weather safety begin to drop significantly.

"Independent testing has shown that vehicles with tires worn to 2/32-inch can take up to 87 feet longer to stop in wet conditions than those with 4/32inch tread. Tires at 4/32-inch maintain nearly 60% better water evacuation, reducing hydroplaning risk and improving overall handling.

"Most major tire manufacturers and independent organizations are already starting to recommend replacing tires around 4/32-inch due to the significant reduction in wet weather traction at that tread depth," according to STA officials.

"However, the messaging is unclear, inconsistent and contradictory."

Modern U.S. standards

STA believes the time is right for tire manufacturers and dealers in the United States "to adopt tire performance standards that reflect modern vehicles, technology and real-world road conditions."

The non-profit organization is calling "for a collaborative approach between industry leaders, government agencies and safety organizations to ensure that tires are safe throughout their usable life - not just when they’re new.

"On July 1, 2024, 55 of the 57 member countries of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) passed into legislation a NEW Regulation R117.04, which is called the Wet Grip on Worn Tires or WGWT Regulation. This regulation introduces a stringent test to guarantee that tires maintain a certain level of performance, particularly wet grip - even when significantly worn. This test specifically measures a vehicles braking distance required to decelerate from 80 KM/H to 20 KM/H with a water depth of 1 MM."

"Unfortunately, United States and Canada are the two key member countries who are not required or have elected to comply, following other standards that we believe are inadequate, haven’t evolved much in decades and are in dire need to be updated,” says Ward.

“The technology exists to build safer, longer-lasting tires, but policy and awareness need to catch up. In fact, many global tire manufacturers already have certain tires that meet this criteria and others are scrambling to build tires safer to comply with the new European regulation.

"Until we the people of the United States take a stand, our lower standards will continue to allow for worn tires that aren’t as safe to be driven on our roadways, potentially killing hundreds of Americans each year in preventable traffic accidents. Together, we can save lives, reduce waste and build consumer confidence.”

'A Nation Driving Safer'

STA has rolled out a national initiative, “A Nation Driving Safer,” whose goal is to "reset the public conversation around tire safety through advocacy, education and industry alignment. The campaign will roll out across the country with events, social media education and strategic partnerships designed to empower drivers and policymakers alike."

"Unsafe tires shouldn’t be a matter of opinion or luck,” says Bebiak. “We have the data, the technology, and the responsibility to act. The quarter test is more than a tool. It's a movement towards a new standard to save lives.”

In addition to Ward and Bebiak, STA's leadership team includes Jeff Campbell, vice president of Tire Discounters and a board member of the Tire Industry Association, who will provide technical insights into tire safety and supporting industry collaboration; Jonathan Burns, vice President, Tire Discounters, and a board member of the Automotive Maintenance & Repair Association (AMRA), ensuring alignment with automotive maintenance protocols to embed tire safety into routine care; Jeff Cox – president, Automotive Maintenance & Repair Association/Motorist Assurance Program (AMRA/MAP), who will help facilitate innovation and relationship building across the automotive market; John Zentz, senior vice president, global sales, Hunter Engineering Co.; John Schadl, director of the Road Ready Foundation, who will oversee community alignment, programming and event coordination; Briant Mildenhall, trial attorney at Fried Godberg, pecializing in litigation involving wrongful death and catastrophic injuries from trucking accidents; Robert Dallas, attorney, Buckley King LPA, and former director of Georgia GOHS, experienced in developing and implementing public safety programs; and Garrett Townsend, director of Public Affairs GA, The Auto Club Group, who will provide strategic communications for traffic safety and STA awareness.