National Tire Safety Week is underway running from June 27– July 3, 2022. This initiative is intended to educate consumers and motorists about tire care, safety, and maintenance, especially as the summer travel season heats up heading into the Fourth of July holiday. AAA Western and Central New York is sharing information from the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) in an effort to raise awareness.

“This Independence Day holiday weekend, AAA expects car travel to set a new record despite historically high gas prices with 42 million people hitting the road,” said Steve Steinmetz, director of automotive services at AAA Western and Central New York. “AAA recommends that motorists have their vehicles, including tires, inspected by a trained technician before heading out on a road trip.”
AAA expects to respond to over 446,000 calls for roadside assistance over the Independence Day holiday weekend.

“Tires enable so much in our daily lives, and they perform so well that many of us can be forgiven for taking our tires for granted. But, like any important investment, they need good care to stay in top shape,” said Anne Forristall Luke, USTMA president and CEO. “Our member companies invest billions of dollars innovating ever safer and more sustainable products. Tires are the most important safety feature on a vehicle and the only part that actually touches the road. So, each year during National Tire Safety Week, we remind drivers and fleet operators to check their tires and perform simple, but important, maintenance practices before getting behind the wheel.”

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.

AAA research shows that drivers are more comfortable traveling now than any other time since the pandemic began, with increased fuel prices having minimal impact on vacation and road trip plans. 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 30 days prior, despite professional recommendations to do so at least once a month. USTMA and AAA are committed to helping consumers understand important facts about tire care and maintenance especially as the travel season peaks as expected.

USTMA is the national trade association for tire manufacturers that produce tires in the U.S. With 57 facilities in 17 states across the country, U.S. tire manufacturing has an annual economic footprint of $170.6 billion dollars and is responsible for more than 291,000 U.S. jobs in manufacturing, distribution, and retailing. The industry supports more than 510,000 additional U.S. jobs in supplier and induced activities, totaling more than 801,000 jobs nationwide. USTMA advances a sustainable tire manufacturing industry through thought leadership and a commitment to science-based public policy advocacy. USTMA members are committed to continuous improvement of the performance of our products, worker and consumer safety and environmental stewardship. Our member companies make mobility possible. For more information, visit www.USTires.org or Twitter at @USTires.