About Safe Tread Alliance
Our Mission
The Safe Tread Alliance is dedicated to establishing a new standard for tread depth in the United States to eliminate outdated and hazardous thresholds. Current regulations permit tires to be worn down to 2/32”, and in certain states, as low as 1/32”, a perilous minimum that claims lives each year.
Drawing inspiration from Europe's effective R117-04 regulation, we promote a nationwide 4/32” minimum tread depth. This standard enhances safety by shortening stopping distances, mitigating hydroplaning, and overall improving road safety.
We are equally committed to dispelling widespread misinformation, such as the outdated penny test, which provides drivers with a misleading sense of security. This misinformation is costing lives. Through driving national awareness, enhancing public education, and spearheading advocacy in the absence of stronger federal regulations, STA’s mission is evident: to safeguard families, avert tragedies, and ensure that every tire on America’s roads is genuinely road-ready.
Our Story
On February 10, 2023, Jackson Bebiak, age 19, was tragically killed in a car crash caused by excessively worn tires. He was a passenger in the vehicle and wearing his seatbelt, but despite all other safety measures being followed, the vehicle hydroplaned in inclement weather, leading to a fatal collision with an 18-wheeler. This heartbreaking loss fueled our motivation for change and the necessary call to action for all drivers, corporations, and legislature, highlighting the life-or-death impact of tire safety.
In response to the accident, the Bebiak family founded the Road Ready Foundation to raise awareness and educate the public about the critical role of tire maintenance and safety. The foundation quickly gained momentum in Georgia and across the southeast through advocacy and highway safety initiatives, drawing statewide attention to the need for change.
Recognizing the potential for broader impact, Jackson’s father, Alex Bebiak, joined forces with Jamie Ward of the Ohio Tire & Automotive Association (OTAA) to expand the mission on a national level. Together, they co-founded the Safe Tread Alliance (STA), a growing coalition of industry leaders, safety advocates, and transportation professionals. United by Jackson’s story, STA works to elevate tire safety standards, promote annual inspections, and prevent the countless injuries and fatalities caused by unsafe tires across the United States.
What is the Safe Tread Alliance?
The Safe Tread Alliance is a coalition of tire and automotive industry leaders and road safety advocates working together to ensure that no family endures the preventable loss of a loved one due to unsafe tires. Our mission speaks directly to young drivers, parents, fleet managers, and public safety officials, uniting them through Jackson’s story to tread wisely and pave the way for a safer tomorrow.
The Safe Tread Alliance unites experts, organizations, and advocates with a shared commitment to revolutionizing tire safety standards and practices. By leveraging insights, data, and collaborative efforts, this advisory panel aims to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities caused by vehicles on the road with unsafe tires.
A preventable tragedy caused by worn tires revealed a critical safety gap and sparked a mission to ensure drivers replace tires before they become dangerous.
We’re leading a phased, practical roadmap for real change:
A Lifesaving, Immediate Step
Advocating for a
4/32-inch minimum tread depth for all passenger and light-truck tires that do not meet proven wet-braking performance standards.
This simple update will keep families
out of the Danger Zone, reduce crashes, save lives, and create national awareness around tire safety.
Modernizing Safety with Proven Global Standards
Inspired by the European Union’s Regulation R117-04, which requires worn tires to demonstrate safe wet braking, we are working to bring the same forward-thinking approach to North America.
Holding tires accountable even when worn ensures safer roads, reduces waste, strengthens consumer trust, and delivers long-term economic benefits for drivers.
A National Coalition
This cross-disciplinary expertise strengthens our advocacy and enhances our credibility.
Our Commitment to Evidence-Based Reform
We believe tire safety reform should be proactive, measurable, and enforceable.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tire Safety
What does 4/32 mean on a tire?
4/32 means the tire has four thirty-seconds of an inch of remaining tread depth. Tread depth affects braking, traction, and the ability to channel water away from the tire.How do I check my tire tread depth accurately?
Use a tread depth gauge to measure tread depth in multiple spots across the tire. Measuring in several grooves helps identify uneven wear.When should I replace my tires for better wet-weather safety?
For improved wet-weather braking and traction, many safety recommendations advise replacing tires around 4/32 of an inch, even if the legal minimum is lower.Do all states have the same tire tread depth laws?
Most states use a 2/32-inch legal minimum tread depth, but inspection requirements and enforcement vary by state.What is the 4/32 Initiative?
The 4/32 Initiative is an effort to modernize minimum tire tread depth standards to 4/32 of an inch to improve wet-weather performance and reduce hydroplaning-related risks.
The 4/32 Initiative helps drivers understand when tires are no longer safe and why 4/32 is the better standard.
How You Can Help
Raising tire safety standards requires action from lawmakers, industry leaders, and everyday drivers.
