WASHINGTON—The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association has kicked off National Tire Safety Week to raise awareness and educate consumers about proper tire care and safety.
This year's theme and hashtag, #KnowYourRoll, will run through Memorial Day.
"U.S. tire manufacturers continue to invest tremendous resources innovating tires so they are safer and more sustainable than just a decade ago," said Anne Forristall Luke, president and CEO of USTMA. "National Tire Safety Week is a chance to highlight the importance of the drivers' role in the safety equation through regular maintenance and simple tire pressure and wear checks. Just like fastening your seatbelt — an action that's become synonymous with safety—proper tire care and maintenance also need to be top of mind when it comes to ensuring the safety of all motorists on the road."
A number of member companies, including Bridgestone Americas Inc., Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., Goodyear, Michelin North America, Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas Inc. and Yokohama Tire Corp., have developed initiatives focused on the annual tire safety campaign, the USTMA said.
USTMA recommends drivers check their tire pressure monthly, regularly check their tire tread depth and ensure that tires are rotated and properly aligned.
National Tire Safety Week coincides with the announcement of the formation of the bipartisan Congressional Tire Caucus, co-chaired by Reps. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) and Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.). The caucus was created to facilitate an exchange of ideas and information important to the U.S. tire manufacturing industry in the name of economic impact, sustainability, safety and future mobility.
On the state level, USTMA has been advocating to advance laws to protect consumers from unsafe used tires. Nearly 38 million used tires were sold in 2017. Once a tire has been mounted on a vehicle and driven, it's considered a used tire. While new tires must meet stringent federal safety standards to be sold in the U.S., worn tires can be resold as used with virtually no restrictions, the association said.