Tire Safety Tips for North Georgia and TN Drivers
June has arrived, which means school will be out and many individuals and families will take to the road for trips, vacations, and outdoor concerts. Road risks are abundant in Chattanooga, TN, and North Georgia communities, and preventable tire-related accidents often form the basis of auto wrecks, motorcycle accidents and wrongful death semi-truck accident claims.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) hosts Tire Safety Month in June to promote actionable recommendations that, when followed, significantly reduce accident risks while establishing critical documentation for legal protection. Let’s review NHTSA’s core tire safety protocols and their relevance to both accident prevention and liability considerations in North Georgia and Chattanooga, Tennessee.
When The Rubber Meets The Road
NHTSA reports that 646 motor vehicle traffic fatalities occurred in the U.S. in 2023 due to tire-related crashes. Though there is no official statistic specifying the number of tire-related accidents that occurred in Georgia or Tennessee, Pritchard Injury Firm’s fatal accident lawyers have litigated several wrongful death suits caused by car accidents involving loose or ill-fitting tires.
Through our investigations, we ascertained that the negligent or reckless drivers’ tires were frequently worn down, with very little tread remaining at the time of the accidents. This led to ineffectiveness when the cars tried to slow down or brake.
Poor tire maintenance—not having enough air in your tires and failing to rotate your tires, among other upkeep requirements—can lead to a flat tire, blowout, or the tread coming off your tire. Our fatal accident lawyers have seen how poor maintenance has led to catastrophic injuries and wrongful deaths in:
Checking Tire Tread
Tires have built-in treadwear indicators that let you know when it is time to replace your tires. These indicators are raised sections spaced intermittently in the bottom of the tread grooves.
When they appear even with the outside of the tread, it is time to replace your tires. You can also test your tread with a Lincoln penny. Simply turn the penny so Lincoln’s head is pointing down and insert it into the tread. If the tread doesn’t cover Lincoln’s head, it’s time to replace your tires.
What Type of Tire Should You Buy?
The NHTSA has issued guidance for the types of tires you should purchase, which vary by the typical weather conditions in your area and even your lifestyle.
- All-season tires can handle a variety of road conditions. They have some mud and snow capabilities.
- Winter tires are more effective than all-season tires in deep snow.
- Summer tires are warm-weather tires that are not designed to operate in temperatures below freezing, or on snow and ice.
- All-terrain tires are mainly used on four-wheel drive vehicles. They provide a good compromise between on-road driving and off-road capability.
Stay Safe And Save Money By Taking Care Of Your Tires
Properly inflating your tires can save you as much as 11 cents per gallon on fuel, according to the NHTSA. Yet only 19 percent of consumers properly inflate their tires. That means four out of five consumers are wasting money because of underinflated tires!
Additional proper tire maintenance, such as rotation, balance and alignment, can help your tires last longer, which will in turn save you money. In fact, properly inflated tires can extend the average life of a tire by 4,700 miles.
How To React To A Tire Blowout While Driving
The goal in any blowout is to keep the vehicle balanced and controllable. Do not panic. Any overreaction – including slamming on the brakes or abruptly removing your foot from the accelerator – can result in a loss of control over the vehicle. Instead, the NHTSA advises you to take the following steps:
- Hold the steering wheel with both hands.
- Maintain your vehicle speed if possible and if it’s safe to do so.
- Gradually release the accelerator.
- Correct the steering as necessary to stabilize your vehicle and regain control. Look where you want the vehicle to go and steer in that direction.
- Once your vehicle has stabilized, continue to slow down and pull off the road where and when you judge it’s safe to do so.
For more safety tips, visit NHTSA’s Summer Driving & Road Trip Tips.
Your North Georgia and Chattanooga Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one were injured due to the negligence or recklessness of another driver, our attorneys are here to help. The mission of Pritchard Injury Firm is to provide you and your family with the highest quality of legal help available and a professional, stress-free experience. Contact us today.