WASHINGTON (Dec. 8, 2005) — The Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) will hold its fifth annual National Tire Safety Week April 23-29.
The annual event is an initiative of RMA's “Be Tire Smart–Play Your PART” program, which is designed to help drivers learn the simple steps they can take to ensure their tires are in good working condition.
Participation in National Tire Safety Week has grown steadily since the first event in 2002, according the RMA. More than 12,000 tire and auto retail locations distributed the RMA's Be Tire Smart brochure. Additionally, many retailers incorporated National Tire Safety Week in advertising and promotions, held events to check motorists' tire pressure for free, and promoted tire care and maintenance to local media. The RMA said its research shows that 85 percent of U.S. drivers do not properly check tire pressure.
Partners in the Be Tire Smart program include tire retailers, auto dealers, safety advocates and state government agencies. Among the list of Be Tire Smart partners are: AAA; American Car Care Centers Inc.; Big 10 Tires; Belle Tire; Big O Tires Inc.; Discount Tire Co.; Kaufman Tire; Les Schwab Tire Centers Inc.; Merchant's Tire; National Tire and Battery (NTB); National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA); Northwest Tire; Peerless Tires; Pep Boys—Manny, Moe & Jack; ProCare Automotive Services; Tire Centers L.L.C.; Tire Factory; Tire Kingdom Inc.; Sears Automotive Centers; STS Tire and Auto Centers; Sullivan Tires; Town Fair Tires; VIP Parts, Tires and Service; and a number of other businesses.
“We continue to see a great deal of excitement and commitment among our partners to the Be Tire Smart safety messages,” said Dan Zielinski, RMA vice president, communications. “We try to be a catalyst to help our partners maximize their participation.”
Tire and auto retailers interested in obtaining free RMA materials for National Tire Safety Week can order them online at www.betiresmart.org. Those who have participated in the event before can expect to receive materials again this year, the RMA said.