Father's Mission to Prevent Teen Tire-Related Deaths Gains National Attention

The National Transportation Safety Board reports that approximately 33,000 car crashes each year in the United States are directly linked to tire-related issues such as tread separation, blowouts, worn or bald tires, and improper inflation. These preventable incidents contribute to over 700 lives being lost annually, highlighting a critical safety concern that particularly affects young drivers.

After tragically losing his 19-year-old son Jackson in a preventable tire-related crash, Georgia father Alex Bebiak created the Road Ready Foundation with a simple but powerful mission: educate teens and parents about basic tire safety and the importance of regular inspections. The foundation's work has gained significant attention, with local media covering the initiative, including a recent story in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution available at https://www.ajc.com.

Research conducted by the foundation reveals alarming statistics about teen driving habits. Based on what Alex is seeing at the high schools he visits, three out of 10 teenagers are driving on unsafe tires. Michelin's research supports these concerns, showing that 43% of teens have never checked their tire tread depth, and 32% have never checked tire pressure. These findings underscore the urgent need for tire safety education among young drivers.

The Road Ready Foundation uses the three "I's" as a guide to ensuring that tires are safe for travel: inspect the tread, inflate/check tire pressure, and install properly and in a timely manner. The organization promotes practical tools like the quarter test, which provides a simple visual method to determine if tire tread is at a safe depth. This hands-on approach helps make tire safety accessible and memorable for young drivers who may lack automotive experience.

The timing of this safety initiative coincides with National Teen Driver Safety Week in October, bringing additional focus to the importance of vehicle maintenance and safe driving practices. The foundation's work addresses a gap in driver education programs, which often emphasize rules of the road but may not adequately cover vehicle maintenance responsibilities. By focusing specifically on tire safety, the Road Ready Foundation aims to reduce the substantial number of crashes attributed to tire problems each year.

The impact of this educational initiative extends beyond individual families to broader highway safety concerns. Proper tire maintenance not only prevents accidents but also improves fuel efficiency and extends vehicle lifespan. As more teens and parents become aware of these simple safety checks, the potential exists to significantly reduce the annual toll of tire-related crashes and fatalities across the country.