Teens, Cars, and Unsafe Tires

Getting a driver’s license is a huge responsibility. From following the rules of the road at all times, to making sure there is enough gas in the tank, there are a lot of things that teen drivers must keep in mind every time they get behind the wheel.

Unfortunately, tire safety is not always a top consideration for young drivers. Sadly, worn treads, or over- or under-inflated tires, are responsible for close to 300,000 wrecks involving teen drivers each year in the United States.

According to a study conducted by Michelin North America, which examined teen drivers in seven major cities across the country, 42 percent of teens are driving vehicles that have unsafe tire treads, and 40 percent are driving with tire pressure that is either too high or too low. Considering the fact that car accidents are the number one cause of death among teenagers, proactive steps must be taken to teach teens about tire safety and the potentially devastating consequences of driving on unsafe tires.

Michelin to Partner with Vans to Reach More Teen Drivers

In 2014, Michelin introduced it’s Beyond the Driving Test program, which urged all 50 states to include tire safety information in all new driver training materials. All of the states reached that goal in 2017. In an effort to reach one million teen drivers, Michelin has introduced the latest phase of their program, which is called the #StreetTreadContest. Michelin has partnered with the popular youth lifestyle brand, Vans, to offer a limited-edition version of the Vans Classic Sk8-Hi and Old Skool shoes.

According to Michelin North America’s chairman, teens care more than you might think about tread depth and air pressure. However, their interest in these factors is directly related to how it affects their sneakers more than cars. Taking this information, Michelin North America ran with it to Vans, to see if they would be interested in participating in a program that could help save the lives of teen drivers. Vans Co-Founder jumped at the opportunity.

In order to receive a pair of the limited-edition sneakers, teens had to share photos of themselves checking a tire’s tread depth or tire pressure, proving they know how to maintain safe tires.

Worn tires can be particularly dangerous on wet roads because the grooves are not deep enough to keep water out from beneath the tread. This can cause hydroplaning, which occurs when the tread skims the water’s surface. As a result, the driver can easily lose control of the vehicle. The faster the car is traveling, the greater the risk of hydroplaning, and the more difficult it is to regain control of the vehicle. Worn tires also do not perform well in the snow.

Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Advocate for Victims of Car Accidents

If you have been injured in a car accident involving another vehicle with worn tires, contact the Baltimore car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton as soon as possible. It is a driver’s responsibility to make sure that their car’s tires are maintained at all times. A failure to do so can cause potentially serious accidents. Our dedicated team will protect your rights and fight to secure the maximum financial compensation you deserve for your injuries. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.

Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent medical malpractice victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.