Many U.S. Cars Driven on “Bald” Tires
The original research was done in 2001, but nothing since has contradicted government findings that a significant number of American motorists are driving on bald or improperly inflated tires
Absence of tire tread and low tire pressure are factors that can contribute to Minnesota car accident injuries and deaths. If you are involved in an injury crash, a car accident lawyer at PritzkerOlsen Attorneys can determine the elements of driver negligence and provide premier representation in recovering compensation for your losses.
According to research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly one in 10 passenger cars on U.S. roads are driven with at least one bald tire.
Another major NHTSA study in 2001 found that 14 percent of gas stations are either not equipped with air pumps or have malfunctioning pumps. Also, only 49 percent of gas stations that are equipped with air pumps provide tire pressure gauges, which are critical to determining if the correct amount of air has been delivered to tires.
Here’s what the NHTSA had to say in research findings that are still prominent in the field:
“Tire tread provides the gripping action and traction that prevent a vehicle from sliping and sliding, especially when the road is wet or icy. In general, tires are not safe and should be replaced when the tread is worn down to 1/16th of an inch. Tires have built-in treadwear indicators that let a motorist know when they should be replaced. These indicators are raised sections spaced intermittently in the bottom of the tread grooves. When they appear “even” with the outside of the tread, it’s time for tire replacement.”
“Bald tires are between 1.5 and 1.8 times more likely to be underinflated than are tires with deeper tread, depending on tire location.”
“Twenty-seven percent of passenger cars on U.S. roadways are driven with one or more substantially under-inflated tires.”
Besides increasing the risk of blowouts, under-inflated tires also shorten tire life and increase fuel consumption.
