Published on Monday, June 13, 2005
in the Naples Daily News

In the Know: Simple steps can prevent tire blowouts

With summer approaching, many of us will be traveling on the roadways. I recently met with Cpl. Eric Gissendaner, a traffic homicide investigator with the Florida Highway Patrol, and learned about some important safety precautions.

While many accidents can be avoided by driving the posted speed limit (70 mph on the Interstate) and eliminating distractions, such as cell phones, there is something else that is a real danger on the road: tire blowouts.

Gissendaner has been on the scene of dozens of crashes involving rollovers, and many of them were due to tire failure. He offers the following information and tips:

The main causes for tire blowouts are low air pressure or an object in the road. Sometimes tires will pick up nails or screws and cause a slow leak that is not noticeable immediately. When this happens, the tire sidewall can start to weaken, and it is compounded at higher speeds.

If your tire does blow, it will sound like a loud grinding or knocking noise. The car, including the steering wheel, may shake or vibrate.

Most people's reaction is to brake hard. When you brake too hard, and try to steer too quickly in an effort to gain control, you can cause your vehicle to overturn or roll over.

Don't panic, and make sure that you maintain control of your vehicle and then "slowly" reduce your speed. If you can, safely move over to the right, into the emergency lane, then gradually brake to bring your vehicle to a stop.

Most of us don't think this can happen to us. So what should we do?

Below is a checklist that could save your life:

— Tire air pressure should be checked monthly and before departing on a long trip. The manufacturers' recommended tire pressure is imprinted on the sidewall of the tire.

— Inspect your tires for excessive wear and sidewall deterioration

— If you are unsure about your tires' condition, have a professional check them.

— For even tread wear and longevity, rotate your tires every 3,000 to 4,000 miles. Tire alignment should be done every six months or 6,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Areas with hot climates, such as Southwest Florida, tend to have more incidents of tire ruptures. For every 10 degrees of temperature change, you can either lose or gain 1 pound of air pressure.

"By taking the time to ensure that your vehicle is properly maintained and giving yourself plenty of time to arrive at your destination, serious crashes can be reduced significantly," Gissendaner said. "Always remember to drive as if your life, your family's lives, and the lives of others depend on it. Why? Because it does."

Did you know?

When you're driving at 70 mph, it is the equivalent of traveling 102 feet per second. That's a football field every three seconds!

— provided by Florida Highway Patrol