USTMA Kicks Off National Tire Safety Week: June 26-July 3

Representing many of the world’s global tire manufacturers, the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) kicked off its National Tire Safety Week, which will run from June 26– July 3, 2023. The annual campaign is intended to educate consumers, motorists and fleet operators about tire safety and maintenance, especially as the summer travel season heats up heading into the Fourth of July holiday.

“Tires play an essential role in road and highway safety, and our member companies are continuously working to build even safer and more sustainable products. Every component of a tire’s complex design is carefully crafted and serves a unique purpose to ensure tire safety,” said Anne Forristall Luke, USTMA president and CEO. “Each year during National Tire Safety Week, we remind drivers and fleet operators to check their tires and perform simple but important maintenance practices to protect themselves and the integrity of their tires.”

USTMA members continue to advance safe, sustainable mobility for American consumers. Today’s modern tires are complex, highly engineered products that maximize safety, performance, handling and durability. Modern tire technology blends a unique mix of chemistry, physics and engineering to give consumers a high degree of comfort, performance, efficiency, reliability and safety.

Many tires are custom designed to meet the stresses and performance needs specified by a specific vehicle manufacturer. New and advanced technologies, like the use of tire sensors to provide real-time tire monitoring data and the production of fuel-efficient tires that improve vehicle fuel economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, offer benefits to consumers’ wallets and the environment.

U.S. tire manufacturers recommend drivers check tire pressure at least monthly, regularly check tire tread depth and ensure vehicle tires are rotated and properly aligned. Proper maintenance and periodic inspections by a tire professional are essential for optimum performance and service life of tires and can help ensure lower overall environmental impacts.

To help motorists remember these important tire maintenance actions, USTMA encourages drivers to remember the acronym “P.A.R.T.”—Pressure, Alignment, Rotation and Tread. Tire safety essentials are especially important this year as significant numbers of motorists are back in their cars embarking on summer road trips. A 2021 survey co-led by USTMA showed that 70 percent of drivers across the U.S. reported not checking their tire pressure in the last 30 days, despite professional recommendations to do so at least once a month.

USTMA members lead public education initiatives that empower drivers with the knowledge they need to stay safe. National Tire Safety Week is an industry-led initiative designed to help consumers learn simple yet essential steps for proper tire care and maintenance and is supported by USTMA members: Bridgestone Americas, Inc.; Continental Tire the Americas, LLC; Giti Tire (USA) Ltd.; The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company; Hankook Tire America Corp; Kumho Tire U.S.A., Inc.; Michelin North America, Inc.; Nokian Tyres, Inc.; Pirelli Tire North America; Sumitomo Rubber Industries; Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas Inc., and Yokohama Tire Corporation.

Source: USTMA