Who will take care of women’s auto safety?
Statistics gathered in a survey in the beginning of this March by the network of tire centers “Pirelli Key Point” within a framework of “BTA Women’s Day Rally 2015” shows that almost a quarter of Latvian female drivers drive a car equipped with inappropriate tires. Pirelli Key Point urges men not to forget to take regular care of the auto safety of their women.
During the survey, professionals of Pirelli Key Point tire centers measured the two most important parameters showing the condition of tires: tire wear, or the tread depth, and tire “age”.
One of the most important indices that the “suitability” of a tire is determined upon, is the depth of the tread – the less it is, the less safe the tire is. Usually, the tread depth for a new tire is 6 – 8 mm for a summer tire and 8 – 10 mm for a winter tire. In accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Latvia, the minimum allowed tread depth is 1.6 mm for summer tires and 4 mm for winter tires. However, the survey data showed that part of female drivers in Latvia are not informed about the determined tread depth, and the importance thereof regarding safety: almost a quarter or 24% of female drivers drive cars equipped with tires with minimal tread depth. 21% of cars were equipped with winter tires, and tread depth thereof was less than 4 mm, and in 3% – less than 1.6 mm.
It was also specified that 14% of female drivers have their cars equipped with tires older than 4 years. Moreover, the “oldest” tire found during the survey, was manufactured in 1994! At the same time, it is considered that the average “life” of a tire is about 2-4 seasons, depending on driving style and conditions, wear, road surface, storing conditions and other subjective parameters. Tests, carried out by manufacturers, show that, on average, after 2-4 seasons of active use tire rubber loses its flexibility, becoming harder, and loses its qualities, failing to ensure necessary performance and safety. Obviously, the longer a tire is used, the less safe it is.
Gints Garuts, Pirelli Key Point expert says “We live in a society, where, despite large the number of female drivers, the car is still considered as the men’s “toy”, and women use cars more as simply a means of transport. Therefore, we would like to urge men: please, take care of the safety of your women and their cars!”
Tire wear, affected by tire “age” and tread depth, is directly related to breaking abilities. Breaking efficiency is a vital safety feature. Tests show that old tires with less tread depth break worse and endanger traffic safety. To avoid traffic accidents because of bad tires, Pirelli Key Point expert advises performing tire checks and maintenance regularly. In the spring, when warm the seasons approach, is the best time to think about the condition of your tires. That is, assess the condition of your winter tires, and put them aside until next winter season. Summer tires should be used when the average temperature already exceeds 7 degrees Celsius.
Pirelli Key Point survey was carried out in the beginning of this March within framework of “BTA Women’s Day Rally 2015”, and 479 women’s cars participated therein.
