Finland drivers delay tire replacement, survey finds

A survey conducted by Autonrengasliitto and YouGov Finland reveals that nearly half of Finnish drivers (46%) wait until tires reach the legal minimum tread depth before replacing them. This trend is more pronounced among younger drivers aged 18–34, where over half (54%) follow this practice.

Teemu Tuuri, chairman of Autonrengasliitto, warned that a significant portion of traffic accidents are caused by poor-quality tires, noting that driving on worn tires endangers road safety. Despite most respondents acknowledging that tires are a critical safety factor and claiming they can assess tire condition well, many neglect regular maintenance.

Only about half of the drivers check tread depth during seasonal tire changes, and only 24% check tire pressure at that time. Safety experts, including Lari Mäkelä from Liikenneturva, recommend checking tire pressure monthly, before long trips, or during significant weather changes to ensure stability and prevent uneven wear.