I think it is great that we set aside specific weeks to focus on various aspects of truck safety (e.g. Brake Safety Week and Tire Safety Week) so that we can bring extra attention to these important areas. However, we can’t lose sight of the fact that we need to be vigilant about these safety-related items every day.
Last week—June 28 to July 1—was National Tire Safety Week. Sponsored by the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association, the purpose is to “educate [fleets] about proper tire care and maintenance as an important part of road safety.”
The educational campaign focuses on practical things that can be done to properly maintain and care for tires. Drivers are supposed to check tire pressure and condition in the pre- and post-trip inspections and report any issues on a Driver Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR). Once those problems are reported on the DVIR, it’s the fleet’s job to see that necessary steps are taken to correct the problem.
Hopefully, they are all doing that, but human nature being what it is, I am willing to bet that some drivers and fleets are more diligent and thorough than others.
Perhaps the most important factor when it comes to tires is inflation pressure. Underinflated tires have a big (negative) impact on fuel economy, reduce tire life and increase the chance of the tire having a blowout. They put increased stress on the tire that results in higher operating temperatures.
That is why it is important to keep a close watch on tire pressure and note trends with inflation pressure. If the tire seems to always be a little under its recommended inflation pressure, you need to do more than just add more air. You need to look for the cause of what is likely a slow leak and fix the problem or replace the tire if it is not repairable.
One way to help manage tire inflation pressure is with a tire pressure monitoring or tire pressure inflation system. These devices continuously monitor tire pressure and in the case of inflation systems, add air to get the tires back to their proper inflation level. But even with tire pressure monitoring, tires still need to get drivers’ attention.
Inflation pressure is not the only thing that needs to be checked when it comes to tires. You also need to check the condition of the tire, look for wear patterns and measure tread depth. All of those items factor into tire safety.
While I am happy that we have set aside a week to focus on tires, we all have to remember that tires are something we need to pay close attention to every day. When we do that, we get the maximum life out of the tires and help ensure trucks are rolling down the road safely.
Jane Clark focuses on managing the member services operation at NationaLease as vice president of member services. She works to strengthen member relationships, reduce member costs, and improve collaboration within the NationaLease supporting groups.
