Summer Driving

Staff Writer

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As we head into the hot summer months, I read an article about a tragic motor vehicle accident which started with a punctured tire. The article mentioned that a tire blowout caused a victim to lose control of his vehicle and veer into oncoming traffic. He later succumbed to his injuries. This article discussing such a tragedy led me to think about what we as drivers can do to protect ourselves from unexpected events.

In the summer months, check the tire pressure in your cars or trucks as often as possible. Each time you purchase gas, check your tire pressure. Also, you should check your tire pressure in the morning before the heat sets in. This is particularly true because when the summer temperature rises, air in your tires expands and increases pressure. On the door of newer vehicles, you will find langugage from your automaker recommending certain pressure in "pounds per square inch" which should be measured before the tires heat up. Another safety tool requires affirmative action everytime you get into a car. Generally, wearing your seatbelt minimizes risks of major injuries. Checking tire pressure and the use of a seatbelt could have apparently prevented the tragedy on the Interstate 10 Freeway.

We always face risks in our day-to-day lives. The best thing that we can do for our health, our loved ones and our families requires that we control what we can to minimize these risks. Checking tire pressure regularly and buckling up is a good start.