The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is researching the benefits of establishing a new standard for tire tread depth. 

Currently, the federal government requires that a “wear bar” is built into a tire by the manufacture. This is done at the depth of 2/32 inches. Minimum tread standards are regulated by state and 37 states have minimum tread standards of 2/32 inches. 

The NHTSA is looking into changing the minimum standard to 4/32 inches. This is supposed to increase breaking distance on wet surfaces and may help prevent injuries and fatalities in car wrecks. If a new minimum standard is established, tires will be taken out of circulation once the tread reaches 4/32 inches instead of 2/32 inches.  

The COO of Michelin Americas Research Co., Dave Stafford, has stated that Michelin does not support a new NHTSA standard because of the influx of tires that would be needed in order to maintain the standard. In the