As many of the recent news stories have documented, automobile accidents resulting from faulty equipment are on the rise. While many consumers are well aware of the dangers linked to certain air bags, far less know of the hazards linked to defective tires.
According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), each year tire problems cause 33,000 accidents and kill 500-plus motorists; only one in five defective tires is being taken out of service via recalls; and more than half of recalled tires remain in use.
The problem specifically with tires, according to an NTSB report, is that tire manufacturers cannot reach tire owners to warn them. Independent tire dealers are not required to register the tires they sell with manufacturers, therefore many do not. Though 3.2 million tires were recalled between 2009 and 2013, most of the drivers using them were unaware of the recalls. Additionally, there is currently no government or industry database to systematically notify owners or mechanics about recalled tires.
To help keep you and your loved ones safe, Hunter Insurance would like to inform you that www.safercar.gov allows consumers to check recalls on their vehicles, car seats, as well as tires. This is an easy way to stay up-to-date on potential dangers that could affect you and your family.
For more information on how Hunter Insurance can help you safeguard what matters most, call us today at 769.9500.