AAA Kansas is reminding motorists that summer travelers should be mindful of tire maintenance.
“Your safety is riding on your tires. They are the only components of your car that have direct contact with the road surface. Tires play a critical role in how your vehicle brakes and how it handles,” said Shawn Steward, public affairs manager, AAA Kansas.
AAA is taking the opportunity during National Tire Safety Week―June 24 through July 3―to remind drivers to inspect their tires before hitting the highway. As of June 17, AAA emergency roadside service has responded to more than 5,400 calls for tire issues in Kansas this year alone, making it the third most common reason motorists request roadside assistance.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are nearly 11,000 tire-related motor vehicle crashes nationwide on average every year, resulting in about 600 deaths. Tires were listed as a contributing circumstance in 350 traffic crashes in Kansas in 2022, according to the Kansas Department of Transportation.