Over 3.5 million Be Tire Smart brochures will be distributed by 8,000 retail tire outlets this year, doubling last year's numbers, according to the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA).
The brochures are part of the RMA's consumer tire care education program "Be Tire Smart -- Play Your PART" and the National Tire Safety Week (April 25-May 1).
A number of tire dealers have told the RMA they plan to incorporate the week into their advertising and promotion schedules as well as conduct tire pressure check lanes, the association reports.
The RMA is planning to co-host four tire safety events prior to and during National Tire Safety Week. "Once again, we will work with a number of our partners to bring attention to the need for consumers to know how to properly care for their tires," says Dan Zielinski, RMA vice president, communications.
Several state governors have issued proclamations in support of National Tire Safety Week and a number of state highway safety agencies have offered to include tire safety messages in their overall safety advocacy efforts, the RMA says.
RMA spokespersons will be conducting a radio media tour during National Tire Safety Week and will be distributing a video package to television news stations across the country. To add value to the video package, the RMA says it has recruited a number of tire dealers to serve as local spokespersons.
The "Be Tire Smart -- Play Your PART" program is funded by tire manufacturer members of the RMA: Bridgestone Americas Holding Inc., Continental Tire North America, Cooper Tire and Rubber Co., Goodyear Tire and Rubbber Co., Michelin North America, Pirelli Tire North America and Yokohama Tire Corp.
A version of National Tire Safety Week also will be held in Canada where the Rubber Association of Canada will co-sponsor "Be Tire Smart" week.
Zielinski added that the RMA will releasing results of a 2004 consumer survey on tire care and maintenance knowledge. It has conducted similar surveys over the past three years.
