Truro Drivers Among Britain’s Least Prepared for Winter, Study Finds

Drivers in Truro are among the least prepared in Britain for winter road conditions, according to new figures released today.

Truro Among Bottom Three for Winter Readiness

A nationwide study by HiQ Tyres and Autocare found that only one in 50 tyres sold in Truro last year were designed for cold or icy conditions. That places the Cornish city as the third least prepared location in the country for winter driving.

The findings come from the HiQ Tyres & Autocare Winter Safety Survey 2025, which analysed more than 170,000 tyres sold across Britain between 1st October 2024 and 30th September 2025.

Several other UK towns recorded similarly low figures, with winter tyre uptake below 1 percent in many areas.

Craig Sprigmore, Retail Director UK and Ireland at HiQ Tyres and Autocare, said: “There are some towns clearly prioritising winter safety, but the figures from Truro paint a very different picture. With winter now well under way, we encourage drivers across both towns to take simple precautions that can make a real difference on the road.”

Which Areas Are Most Winter Ready?

The survey ranked towns and cities by the percentage of all season and winter tyres sold. Haywards Heath in West Sussex topped the list at 32.88 percent, followed by Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire at 24.89 percent and Malvern in Worcestershire at 23.29 percent.

At the other end of the table, Southampton recorded just 0.31 percent, Northampton 0.49 percent and Truro 1.65 percent.

All season and winter tyres are designed to improve grip, shorten braking distances and offer greater stability in cold, wet and icy conditions.

Call for Drivers to Prepare Early

HiQ Tyres & Autocare is encouraging motorists nationwide to take advantage of free winter health checks available across its network of more than 190 autocentres. These checks assess tread depth, tyre condition and overall vehicle readiness.

Craig said: “We’ve now entered the meteorological winter, so now is the time for drivers to act to make sure they are prepared for safe driving through the cold months ahead. Our study shows that the least prepared towns, including Truro, are significantly less likely to fit winter ready tyres than those at the top of the national rankings.

“We strongly encourage drivers to visit their local HiQ Tyres & Autocare centre to take advantage of a free winter health check and for expert advice on the benefits of equipping all season and winter tyres.”

HiQ operates more than 190 centres nationwide and is backed by Goodyear, offering car servicing and maintenance for a wide range of vehicles.

Data from the HiQ Tyres & Autocare Winter Safety Survey 2025.