Most drivers know they should check their tire pressure. Far fewer think about tread depth until it's time to buy new tires.
That is a problem.
Your tires are the only part of your vehicle that touches the road. As tread wears down, a tire's ability to evacuate water, maintain traction, and stop safely begins to decline. That is why Tire Discounters is proud to support the Safe Tread Alliance, a national effort focused on modernizing tire safety standards and educating drivers on the life-saving importance of proper tread depth.
What Is the Safe Tread Alliance?
The Safe Tread Alliance (STA) is a coalition of tire industry leaders, safety advocates, and transportation professionals working together to improve tire safety awareness and advocate for stronger tread depth standards across the United States. The organization promotes a 4/32" tread depth replacement standard and aims to replace outdated tire safety messaging that may leave drivers at greater risk in wet-weather.
The organization was co-founded by Alex Bebiak, President of the Road Ready Foundation, and Jamie Ward, President & CEO of Tire Discounters and President of the Ohio Tire & Automotive Association. Together, they have united tire dealers, manufacturers, safety organizations, and industry experts behind a shared mission: preventing crashes caused by worn tread.
To learn more about the Safe Tread Alliance, its 4/32 Initiative, and the effort to modernize tire safety standards across the United States, visit SafeTread.org. The organization provides educational resources, research, and advocacy information designed to help drivers better understand the importance of proper tread depth and tire maintenance.
Featured: Alex Bebiak (left) and Jamie Ward (right), Co-Founders, Safe Tread Alliance
"Safe tire tread isn't just a maintenance issue. It's a life-saving safety issue."
Alex Bebiak and Jamie Ward recently discussed the Safe Tread Alliance mission and the organization's efforts to modernize tire safety standards in an interview with Modern Tire Dealer. Read the full article here.
The Tragic Story Behind the Movement
The Safe Tread Alliance was born from tragedy.
On February 10, 2023, Alex Bebiak's son, Jackson, was killed in a crash caused by excessively worn tires. Despite wearing a seatbelt and following other standard safety precautions, the vehicle hydroplaned during wet weather and collided with a tractor-trailer.
In the aftermath, the Bebiak family founded the Road Ready Foundation to educate drivers about tire safety and the dangers of worn tread. As awareness grew, Alex partnered with Jamie Ward and other industry leaders to create the Safe Tread Alliance and expand that mission.
Watch Alex's story and learn what inspired the movement:
Why Tread Depth Matters
Many drivers assume a tire is safe as long as it still passes the traditional penny test.
The Safe Tread Alliance disagrees.
Current laws in most states allow tires to remain in service until they reach 2/32" of tread depth. Research has shown that by this point, a tire's wet-weather performance has already declined significantly. The Safe Tread Alliance advocates for a safer 4/32" replacement standard because that is where stopping distances, hydroplaning resistance, and wet traction begin to deteriorate rapidly.
The difference is not small.
According to STA, vehicles equipped with tires worn to 2/32" can require up to 87 additional feet to stop in wet conditions compared to tires with 4/32" tread depth. That can be the difference between a close call and a serious collision.
It's Time to Retire the Penny Test
For decades, drivers have been told to use a penny to measure tread depth.
The problem is that the penny test only identifies when a tire has reached the legal minimum of 2/32". It does not indicate when a tire's safety performance has begun to decline. The Safe Tread Alliance believes this has created a false sense of security for many drivers.
Instead, STA encourages drivers to use the Quarter Test.
How the Quarter Test Works
- Take a U.S. quarter.
- Insert Washington's head into the tire tread groove upside down.
- If you can see the top of Washington's head, your tire tread is at or below 4/32".
- Begin planning for tire replacement.
The quarter test provides an easy way for drivers to identify tires that may still be legal but are no longer performing at their safest level in wet conditions.
Read more about the science behind the Quarter Test
Tire Safety Is About More Than Tires
Modern vehicles are equipped with advanced safety systems, including:
- Anti-lock brakes
- Traction control
- Electronic stability control
- Lane keeping assistance
- Collision avoidance systems
But all of these technologies depend on one thing: the tire's ability to maintain traction with the road surface.
When tread wears down, your vehicle loses one of its most important safety systems. No technology can overcome a tire's inability to channel water effectively or maintain grip during an emergency maneuver.
Tire Discounters' Role in the Safe Tread Alliance
Safety has always been a core value at Tire Discounters.
That is why Jamie Ward helped co-found the Safe Tread Alliance and why Tire Discounters supports efforts to improve consumer education around tread depth, wet-weather traction, and tire maintenance.
We believe drivers deserve clear, modern guidance based on real-world performance, not outdated standards.
Through the Safe Tread Alliance, Road Ready Foundation, and industry partners across the country, we are working toward a future where fewer families experience preventable tragedies caused by worn tires.
Check Your Tread. Protect Your Family.
National Tire Safety Week is a great reminder to take a few minutes and inspect your tires.
If you are unsure about your tread depth, stop by your local Tire Discounters for a free tire inspection. Our team can measure your tread depth, evaluate tire wear, and help determine whether your tires are still performing safely.
Because when it comes to tire safety, waiting until the legal minimum may be waiting too long.
Schedule a Free Tire Inspection
Tread depth is one of the easiest safety items to check, but it is also one of the most overlooked. Whether you're preparing for a summer road trip, commuting through heavy rain, or simply looking for peace of mind, our team can help.
Visit your nearest Tire Discounters location or schedule an appointment today for a complimentary tire inspection.
✅ Free tread depth measurement
✅ Tire wear evaluation
✅ Tire pressure check
✅ Professional recommendations from tire experts
Schedule an Appointment
Find a Store Near You
Related Resources:
🎥 Watch Alex Bebiak's Story
📖 Learn About the Quarter Test
🌐 Learn More About the Safe Tread Alliance
📍 Find a Tire Discounters Location
📅 Schedule a Free Tire Inspection
Safe tires save lives.
