[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 59 (Monday, May 3, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4764-S4765]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       NATIONAL TIRE SAFETY WEEK

   Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, today I wish to talk about tire 
safety. Just last week, we recognized National Tire Safety Week. Now in 
its third year, National Tire Safety Week is sponsored by the Rubber 
Manufacturers Association, and supported by numerous other 
organizations, to help educate consumers about the importance of tire 
safety.
  Combined with safer roads and more responsible drivers, improved 
vehicle safety is essential to help reduce the tragic number of motor 
vehicle injuries and fatalities that occur each year. Tire pressure and 
tread depth are critical safety components of any automobile. Under-
inflated tires and worn or damaged tread can cause tire blowouts and 
hydroplaning--both of which can lead to devastating accidents on our 
highways. The Rubber Manufacturers Association estimates that only 15 
percent of drivers properly check their tire pressure, and only 30 
percent of all drivers know how to tell when their tires are ``bald.'' 
Tire safety week is an important means to improve these numbers.
  The goal of National Tire Safety Week is to raise public awareness of 
tire safety and provide consumers with simple, common sense, and 
inexpensive ways to help increase the safety of their tires and 
vehicles. Consumers can greatly maximize the safety of their vehicles 
by properly checking tire pressure, maintaining proper alignment and 
rotation of their tires, and replacing worn tires. These simple 
procedures can greatly reduce an individual's risk of a motor vehicle 
accident--and in some cases, save lives.
  I thank the Rubber Manufacturers Association, as well as tire and 
auto service dealers and innovators in the tire safety community for 
participating in this important week and for

[[Page S4765]]

their sustained effort to increase automobile safety. I also encourage 
them to continue their significant progress on the development of safer 
tires and improved consumer awareness. Working together, we can all 
enhance tire safety and save lives.

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