By Dallas Hammit / ADOT State Engineer
Last month, I talked about how being
prepared for summer weather can make all
the difference. But besides high temperatures,
monsoons and dust storms, there’s another
summertime safety issue I want more drivers to
be aware of...
When the temperatures heat up, motorists
need to stay alert and be on the lookout for tire
treads and other debris that can end up on the
highways. Known sometimes as “gators,” the tire
treads that wind up on the road after someone
has a blowout can create a hazard for other
drivers. The number of gators we all see on the
road seems to increase in the hotter months.
You as a driver can actually help limit the
chances of creating highway gators by properly
maintaining your tires – that includes regularly
checking your vehicle’s tire pressure to reduce
the risk of blowouts.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, about 700 people die every year
in tire-related crashes. There’s a lot we all can do
to help drive that number down.
Published on the ADOT Blog last year, here are
some tips from SaferCar.gov
that will help keep
your vehicle’s tires in shape:
• Inflate your tires according to the pressure
specified in your vehicle’s manual or
tire information label on the driver’s side
• Properly inflating tires improves fuel
efficiency, providing as much as 11 cents
more value per gallon.
• Follow your car’s maintenance guidelines
and rotate tires as specified. Also, be sure
they are balanced and aligned correctly for
• Check the tread on your tires. Tires should be
replaced when tread is worn down to 2/32 of
an inch. Running out the clock on your tires
can result in a blowout.
• Many newer vehicles have automated tire
pressure monitoring systems. Typically, these
alerts are sent when a tire is significantly
deflated, making regular checks is a good
idea. Keep a tire pressure gauge in your
Just remember that properly maintaining your
tires can actually help to make them last longer
– it’ll also save you money in the long run.
Most importantly though, the steps you take
to maintain your tires will help protect
you and other drivers on the road. For even
more information about tire safety, visit NHTSA.gov/tires
Editor's Note: More safety messages from Dallas Hammit, ADOT's state engineer and deputy director for transportation, are available at Driving Safety Home on azdot.gov.