A new Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) survey of more than 7,000 vehicles reveals that more than 11% had at least one bald tire.
“In this bad economy, drivers may be delaying necessary vehicle maintenance to save costs,” says Charles Cannon, RMA CEO and president. “But that delay may cost you more dearly if worn out tires lead to a crash with injuries or fatalities.”
According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), an estimated 33.2 million motorists will take to the road for Thanksgiving travel, and that means nearly 4 million motorists could be at risk by driving on bald tires.
Bald tires cannot grip the road properly, which not only increases stopping distances but also contributes to skidding or loss of vehicle control, adds Cannon.
All RMA press releases are available at www.rma.org.