Yokohama, AAA, RMA Team up in US to Promote Safety

In the US the Automobile Club of Southern California, Rubber Manufacturers Association, California Highway Patrol and Yokohama Tire Co. are joining forces during National Tire Safety Week to encourage drivers to check their vehicle’s tyre pressure in order to save fuel and increase safety.

The groups are distributing 13,500 “tyre tread depth cards” to consumers this week through the Auto Club’s local offices and Roadside Assistance providers. The Auto Club and RMA are also distributing “Tire Smart” brochures in AAA offices. AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities also will check tyres and pressure free of charge for members and the public during the week.

“A motorist survey this year by the RMA found that 85 per cent of American drivers do not properly check tyre inflation pressure. This is an alarming statistic since tyres are the only part of a vehicle in contact with the road and a critical vehicle safety component,” said James MacMaster, chairman of the RMA Board of Directors.

“Drivers across the US can battle rising gas prices by simply maintaining proper tyre inflation,” said Takao Oishi, Yokohama’s CEO and president. “Current statistics indicate that 82 million vehicles have under-inflated tyres, which means more rubber is hitting the road and, accordingly, miles-per-gallon is lessened. In fact, tyre experts speculate that 2.8 billion gallons of gas is wasted by US drivers each year simply because they’re driving on under-inflated tyres.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that under-inflated tires are a factor in 660 fatalities and 33,000 crash injuries each year. Additional research shows that 27 per cent of passenger cars on US roadways are driven with one or more substantially under-inflated tyre, according to a NHTSA survey. Moreover, 32 percent of light trucks (SUVs, vans and pickup trucks) are driven with one or more substantially under-inflated tyres, according to the study. (Tire Review/Akron)