RALEIGH, N.C. (July 23, 2015) — Michelin North America Inc. and the American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association (ADTSEA) recently joined forces to continue their focus on reducing preventable crashes among teen drivers.
The two partners launched their first joint tire safety workshop on July 11 in Raleigh, with approximately 20 of the top driving instructors from across the U.S. attending the workshop during the ADTSEA National Conference that weekend.
Michelin, in partnership with the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), announced at the Formula E Miami ePrix in March that the ADTSEA was the winner of a $100,000 Michelin/FIA Teen Road Safety Grant. This safety workshop was the first in a line of educational events the funds will go toward.
“Michelin and ADTSEA are taking a key step forward in our shared mission to change the way new drivers are taught about the simple, life-saving topic of tire safety,” said Sheryl Wilkerson, vice president of federal government relations for Greenville, S.C.-based Michelin.
Josh Weaver, from Black's Tire & Auto Service in Raleigh, N.C., told workshop participants about reasons why the dealership recently removed tires from vehicles.
“Michelin is committed to filling the large gap that exists in essential tire-safety knowledge among teen drivers to keep them safe on the roads.”
Mike Wischhusen, technical director for the tire maker, led the workshop, covering topics such as: how to check tire pressure; how to check tread depth (using the penny test); and installing new tires.
Mike Wischhusen addresses a group of driving safety workshop participants about tire safety.
Additionally, Michelin said Josh Weaver, from Black's Tire & Auto Service, a local Raleigh Michelin tire dealership, gave a presentation to the group describing real life examples of tires recently taken off vehicles. Some of the reasons for needing new tires, according to the dealership, included irregular/uneven treadwear, curb scrub damage, sever impact in the tread, severe shoulder wear due to underinflation and more.
Later this year, ADTSEA and Michelin will continue the initiative with a workshop in Miami this fall, followed by an event in Long Beach, Calif., in early 2016.
As part of the ADTSEA tire-safety module, Michelin said it also will roll out new tire safety and maintenance videos on YouTube that discuss how to properly check tire pressure, measure tread depth and install new tires.
“Equipping new drivers with life-saving skills, information and training is our mission. Together with Michelin, we are directly addressing the issue of tire safety as an important focus for new drivers,” said Allen Robinson, CEO of ADTSEA.
“Thanks to our association with Michelin, hundreds of driving instructors will leave Raleigh equipped with a new understanding and new resources to train young drivers nationwide in the years ahead.”
To access educational resources, including Michelin's new tire safety and maintenance video, click here.
Do you have an opinion about this story? Do you have some thoughts you'd like to share with our readers? Tire Business would love to hear from you. Email your letter to Editor Don Detore at [email protected].