Tire safety targeted to try and lower NZ road toll
ERJ staff report (BC)
Auckland, New Zealand – Transport agencies are joining forces to target New Zealanders' ignorance of tire safety in an attempt to reduce the country's road accident toll, TVNZ reported.
Between 2008 and 2012, tire faults were a factor in nearly 200 serious crashes that left 73 people dead and 200 seriously injured. Of those incidents, worn tread was the leading cause.
However, many Kiwis are overlooking recommendations from transport groups to get their tires checked regularly, something that the New Zealand Automobile Association's Andrew Bayliss is reported as saying is concerning.
A study by Canastar Blue is cited as showing that nearly half of all Kiwis only replace their tires when they need to pass a warrant of fitness.
"It's a reluctant buy. People only come and do it when they really need to but they should know with yearly warrants to check it more often," said Fred Morgan from Herb Morgan Tyres and Wheels.
However, Morgan added that even if you pass your warrant test with only the minimum tread allowed, within six months it will be gone and people will be put at risk.
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Full story from TVNZ
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