Having a wider patch where the drive wheels are will give you better traction. Although the traction really comes from the softer compound that wider tires employ and not so much the contact patch (normal road surfaces are uneven.)
Friction doesn't depend on surface area, but the softer wider tire does relate to a bigger coefficient of friction. Wider tires also have stronger sidewalls which is an added benefit for handling with less body roll.
But, as Barry says, this is in theory and not applicable for most daily drivers with a weaker right foot.
