Every year, racing fans all across the country focus in on Florida’s Central Atlantic Coast. Tens of thousands of people flock to Daytona each February to see the Daytona 500, and millions of people tune in to watch at home.
NASCAR racing bears little resemblance to the kinds of everyday driving that most people do on Ocala area streets and highways. But, a big racing event like the recent Daytona 500 can help to shine a light on the importance of safe driving and tire safety in Florida. In fact, NASCAR and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have teamed up to help promote safe driving.
Specifically, NASCAR and the NHTSA joined forces to draw attention to the importance of tire safety in Florida and nationwide. Using the correct tires for the particular vehicle, properly inflating the tires and knowing when to replace them can all be crucial components to vehicle safety. If drivers neglect their tires, the tires can fail and cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, tire problems are partly to blame for about 11,000 auto accidents every year. These accidents result in serious injuries and the loss of roughly 200 lives per year. Although many of these dangerous tire problems are preventable, only about 19 percent of drivers are diligent about tire maintenance. The NHTSA and NASCAR hope to curb these accident statistics by educating drivers on the necessity for tire safety in Florida.
When car crashes are caused by a negligent driver, the accident victims can hold all negligent parties accountable. All drivers have a responsibility to follow all traffic laws, but they also must take other reasonable steps, like maintaining their vehicles, to help prevent accidents.
Source: U.S. Department of Transportation, ” NASCAR and NHTSA get TireWise for safety,” Anthony Foxx, Accessed on Feb. 25, 2015
