Can Winter Tyres Make Driving Safer?

As temperatures dropped this month and many people woke up to unexpected snow and ice, many drivers are asking the same question: Do I really need winter tyres? The answer is a simple yes, winter tyres can absolutely make driving significantly safer in cold weather conditions. They’re not just for snowy roads, they’re designed to keep you in control whenever the temperature falls below 7°C.

Read on to find out why winter tyres are so important, what the data says, and how Europit can help.

Winter tyres are specially designed to perform in cold, wet, icy and snowy conditions. Unlike summer tyres, which harden in low temperatures, winter tyres use a softer rubber compound that stays flexible. This flexibility is crucial because it allows the tyre to maintain grip on cold surfaces, reducing the risk of skidding or losing control. The tread pattern is another major difference.

Winter tyres feature deeper grooves and thousands of tiny sipes that bite into snow and ice while channelling water and slush away from the tyre’s surface. This design helps prevent hydroplaning and improves traction, giving you confidence even on slippery roads.

On snow or ice, winter tyres can reduce braking distance by up to 50% compared to summer tyres. For example, at 30 mph on a snowy road, a car with winter tyres might stop in 35 metres while the same car on summer tyres could take 60 metres or more. That difference could be the gap between a safe stop and a serious accident.

Even if you rarely see snow, winter tyres still make a big difference. On cold, dry roads, they provide better traction and handling than summer tyres. Studies across Europe show that using winter tyres can reduce winter road accidents by up to 20%, proving they’re not just a luxury, they’re a safety essential.

The graphic on the right shows how dramatically stopping distances increase in snow and ice compared to normal road conditions.

At 50 mph, in normal conditions:
Thinking distance: 15 m
Braking distance: 38 m
Total stopping distance: 53 m

At 50 mph, in snow and ice:
Thinking distance: 15 m
Braking distance: 380 m
Total stopping distance: 395 m

➡️ That’s over 7 times longer than in normal conditions

If we look at the same data, but travelling at 30 mph:

At 30mph, in normal conditions:
Thinking distance: 9 m
Braking distance: 14 m
Total stopping distance: 23 m

At 30mph, in snow and ice:
Thinking distance: 9 m
Braking distance: 140 m
Total stopping distance: 149 m

➡️ That’s more than 6 times longer than in normal driving conditions

To put this into perspective, with an average car length of 4 - 4.5 m, the extra distance in icy conditions can equal dozens of car lengths before you come to a stop. These figures highlight just how little grip standard tyres have in cold, icy conditions. Winter tyres are designed with a softer rubber compound that stays flexible in low temperatures, plus deeper tread patterns and sipes that bite into snow and ice.

This means:

•    Shorter braking distances in winter conditions
•    Better traction when pulling away
•    Improved control when steering and cornering
•    Reduced risk of skidding and losing control

When temperatures start to regularly fall below 7°C, it’s time to consider winter tyres. In the UK, this usually means late October through early March. Even if you don’t live in a snowy area, frost, ice and cold rain can make roads dangerous and winter tyres are designed to handle all of these conditions. All-season tyres are a good compromise for mild winters, but they won’t match the grip and braking performance of dedicated winter tyres in severe cold or icy weather. If safety is your priority, winter tyres are the clear winner.

Why Choose Europit for Winter Tyres?

At Europit, we stock a wide range of winter tyres from leading brands including Kumho, Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop, Pirelli and Michelin. Our expert team can help you choose the right tyres for your vehicle and driving needs. We also offer fast and professional fitting services to ensure maximum safety and performance.

✅ Call Europit or drop into any of our Essex and Suffolk branches: Branches
✅ Book online for hassle-free fitting: Tyres