Maximum available tyre grip has to be shared between 3 independent functions; accelerating, steering, and braking. This is what Advanced Drivers know as ‘tyre grip trade-off'.

As more tyre grip is used for braking there is less available for steering and this reduces your control over the best positioning for the hazard.

Because many drivers enter a bend in the wrong position of the road, at the wrong speed and in the wrong gear they have to brake whilst actually steering through the bend - thus creating the ‘trade-off'. This generally happens at the very point where maximum cornering grip is required. (See ‘Speed - Gear - Steer')

Cornering and braking simultaneously transfers the vehicle weight onto the front wheels thus assisting grip and to some extent aiding water displacement. This however lightens the rear of the vehicle thus reducing the available tyre grip on the rear tyres with the potential for the rear end to slide outwards. Observe this the next time you watch a motoring programme like ‘Top Gear'!!

It's worth considering that, as the only purpose of tyre tread is to displace water on the road surface, it might be a good policy to make sure you have the best treaded tyres on the rear whether or not you have front wheel drive, rear wheel drive or four wheel drive.GKB 2013

Image with acknowledgements to Roadcraft