WASHINGTON — The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) is using the summer travel season to start a conversation about tire safety.
Each year, the association sponsors National Tire Safety Week, running May 21-28 this year, and uses the educational opportunity as the chance for its member companies and partners to discuss the importance of tire safety.
"Safety is our industry's No. 1 priority," USTMA President and CEO Anne Forristall Luke said in a news release. "National Tire Safety Week, positioned at the start of summer travel, is a great opportunity for our member companies and partners to connect with motorists about proper tire care and maintenance."
Under this year's theme, "Know Your Roll," USTMA is highlighting its recommendation that drivers check tire pressure at least monthly, check tire tread depths regularly and ensure their tires are rotated and properly aligned.
That kind of information is key, according to Ms. Luke, who notes that 40 percent of drivers believe they can tell a tire is under-inflated by looking at, but less than 20 percent know how to check tire pressure properly.
Proper tire maintenance and periodic inspections by a tire professional are essential for optimum tire performance and service life, the USTMA said, and that's at the heart of this year's message.
But that's not all. The USTMA also is using National Tire Safety Week to spread the word about potential dangers of unsafe used tires. Luke is scheduled to speak May 22 in Columbus, Ohio, in favor of a bill before the Ohio State Senate to ban the installation of used tires that do not meet minimum safety requirements.
"Unsafe used tires are putting drivers at risk," the association said. "In 2015, more than 30 million used tires were sold. While new tires must meet stringent federal safety standards to be sold in the U.S., worn tires can be resold as used with virtually no restrictions."