Data recently released by the American Automobile Association (AAA) Northeast shows that in 2017, there were 653 tire-related motor vehicle accidents in Connecticut. Of those, 246 resulted in either a motorist being injured or killed. If you’re doing the math, this means that at least 12 collisions each week during 2017 in Connecticut could be attributed to tire-related issues. At least five deaths or injuries were caused by them.
AAA’s research shows that motorists are most vulnerable to becoming involved in tire-related crashes when driving in wet weather. Drivers whose vehicles have worn tires are at especially high risk of becoming involved in a collision.
Motorists who drive on worn tires, they found, stop 50 percent slower than those with newer tires. While many might think that price impacts performance, the researchers did not find any evidence to corroborate this.
Existing Connecticut laws make it illegal for drivers to operate vehicles with less than 2/32nds of an inch tread depth. AAA’s research shows that motorists may actually want to, instead, replace their tires when it becomes 4/32nds of an inch.
They also warn motorists of the importance of reducing their speed and the distance between them and the vehicles in front of them if it’s wet outside. It’s also important not to use your cruise control and to take your foot off the accelerator if the vehicle starts to hydroplane if the car’s tire treads have worn down.
If your tires have worn down more quickly than they should have, causing either a blow out or crash with injuries, a New Haven products liability attorney can advise you of your right to sue their manufacturer for damages.
Source: Greenwich Patch, “How safe are your tires? A new report raises serious concerns,” Brian McCreedy, June 10, 2018
