South Florida Tire Safety Warning: Most Drivers Don't Check Tire Pressure Often Enough
How often do you gas up? Change your oil? Or get your car, pickup truck, or SUV washed? South Florida drivers who think they are on top of their automobile's maintenance may be overlooking an important safety item on their checklist -- one that could lead to serious or even fatal car accidents.
A recent news report echoes what highway and driving safety advocates have been telling consumers for years: Many drivers miss the boat when it comes to checking their auto tire pressure often enough. Improperly inflated tires can lead to tire failure, loss of vehicle control, and serious, even deadly car accidents.
West Palm Beach, Florida defective tire accident lawyers have knowledge regarding product liability laws related to defective automotive products, tire recalls, and tire blowout accidents.
(Readers may recall that several years ago, Firestone Bridgestone had a massive tire recall related to tire failure -- leading to several deadly SUV roller accidents. At the time, Bridgestone cited that underinflated tires may have led to some of the accidents; however Ford -- whose Ford Explorers where involved in many of the fatal SUV rollover accidents -- asserted that tire pressure was not the primary problem.)
Florida drivers should be aware that maintaining tire pressure per the vehicle manufacturer's recommendation (which can be found on the sticker inside the driver's door) is an important aspect of regular car, truck, and SUV safety maintenance. Automotive experts state that underinflated tires accelerate tire wear and affect vehicle handling -- as they are more prone to skidding and poor performance on curves.
Another tire safety issue that should be of concern to Florida drivers is driving on aging tires -- including driving on spare tires that have been packed away for years and never used. Many Florida motorists are unaware of tire date coding -- and that after several years, the rubber can deteriorate from the inside out. This is true in Florida, where the year-round heat wears on tires as drivers traverse I-95 and other Florida highways, streets, and roads.
Sources:
10 Driving Mistakes You Probably Make
Women's Day on Yahoo.com Oct. 26, 2010
How to Check Tire Pressure and Inflate Tires
Edmunds.com April 8, 2008
Related Florida Accident Attorney Articles:
Defective Tire Accident in Florida Causes Catastrophic Brain Injury
Florida Drivers, Check Your Tires: Bridgestone Recalls Firestone and LeMans Brand Tires
