While the number of tire-related highway deaths has been dropping over the past decade, tires still account for about 200 fatalities a year and play the leading role in about 11,000 accidents, the Transportation Department reports. As a result, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is launching a campaign Tuesday to try to draw attention to the issue. It's called "Tirewise."
"This campaign will help consumers make more informed choices every step of the way when it comes to choosing and caring for their tires — keeping them safer and saving them money at the same time," says Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx.
The big problem, of course, is that too many tires are bald or underinflated. But the campaign aims to go further, hoping to educate motorists about:
• The right type, size and speed rating of new tires, which are different for every vehicle.
• The need to check tire pressures monthly.
• How to properly determine tread wear or spot other defects.
• Hazards of old tires, even ones that have tread wear left, that need to be replaced over time and how they can break down if not used frequently.
• How high temperatures can affect pressure.
• How to tell where tires were manufactured.
As part of the campaign, the agency is providing tire dealers with a video and has developed a form that tire buyers can fill out to get more information on how care for their new set. Plus, consumers can register to be informed of tire recalls that might affect them.
NHTSA is also developing a SaferCar mobile app to alert motorists to recalls.
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