How Can Tire Maintenance Prevent Crashes?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that routine tire maintenance, replacing worn and old tires and buying the correct tires for your vehicle, can help prevent many crashes caused by tire failure.

A story out of Polk County shows the importance of tire maintenance. Bay News 9 reports that one person was killed and six people injured in a single-vehicle crash on July 5. Deputies say that the SUV may have lost control due to bald tires on the wet roads.

A 24-year-old driver lost control of the SUV and struck a truck, which caused the vehicle to flip over. A 36-year-old passenger in the SUV was ejected from the vehicle and was pronounced dead on the scene. Unfortunately, five other occupants inside had to be taken to the hospital for injuries.

How Can I Maintain My Tires?

The NHTSA says that 200 people die every year due to tire-related crashes. Maintaining tires is the first line of defense for traveling safely.

The NHTSA offers five tips for ensuring your tires are safe to drive on:

  • Tire Pressure
    • Maintaining the proper tire pressure is the most important tip. Tire pressure affects a tire’s safety and durability.
    • Check your tires once a month, including the spare.
  • Tire Tread
    • If a road is icy or wet, the tire tread will allow your car to grip the road.
    • Replace a tire if its tread depth is less than 2/32 of an inch.
    • Check the depth by placing a penny between the tread with Lincoln’s head upside down. If the tread does not cover the top of Lincoln’s head, it is time to replace your tires.
  • Balance and Align Tires
    • Having your tires balanced will reduce shake or vibration.
    • A wheel alignment prevents your car from veering to the right or left when driving straight.
  • Tire Rotation
    • Rotating your tires every 5,000 to 8,000 miles will reduce irregular wear, which will make it safer to drive on.
  • Tire Size
  • The NHTSA says when buying new tires, make sure you get the same size tires as required by the manufacturer of the vehicle.

Did You Know? According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Drivers in the United States put more than 2,969 billion miles on their tires every year.

Source:http://www.nhtsa.gov/About+NHTSA/Press+Releases/2014/NHTSA-Urges-Consumers-to-be-TireWise

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