Today marks the start of National Tire Safety Week, a Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA)-created campaign dedicated to educating drivers about tire safety and the importance of frequent air pressure checks.
Eighty-nine percent of drivers do not check their psi levels properly, according to RMA statistics. And 66% of drivers don't know where to find the proper inflation pressure on their vehicles' tires.
More than 50% of drivers don't know what a tire wear bar is and that it indicates when tires are bald, say RMA officials.
Other recently released RMA statistics reveal that one in three drivers does not check tire pressure levels before taking long trips in fully loaded vehicles.
And one in four drivers incorrectly believes they are better off using slightly underinflated tires on fully loaded vehicles.
The RMA is sponsoring "Tire Safety Days" in Atlanta, Ga.; Austin, Texas; Tallahassee, Fla.; and Phoenix, Ariz., this week. Drivers will receive free tire pressure checks, tire gauges and RMA tire safety brochures at these events.
In addition, several independent tire dealerships throughout the country -- including Discount Tire Co., Les Schwab Tires, Tire Kingdom Inc., and Sullivan Tire Co. -- will distribute the RMA's tire safety materials to customers.
