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When it’s too late
Statistics show that most rollover accidents involving injuries and deaths occurred after a rear tire separated, a trend reflected in the St. Petersburg Times analysis of accidents in Florida during the past six years. Tire experts say a tread separation on a front tire may still allow you to steer the vehicle to safety but that it’s much more difficult when rear tires are involved because you are left with virtually no control. |
- The first sign of a tread separation usually is a vibration, similar to going over speed bumps.
- As the tire comes apart, the vehicle will pull toward the side of the separation. You may hear pieces of the tread hitting the underside of the vehicle.
- A common mistake is to brake or try to correct the steering. Instead, you should hold the steering wheel as tightly as possible and take your foot off the gas pedal. Let the vehicle coast to a stop.
- The vehicle may become impossible to control if you swerve into traffic, a median or a shoulder.
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