The Votes are In: Americans Hit the Road on Election Day

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 24, 2016 -- With Election Day right around the corner, Americans are prepping to cast their votes, and with a presidential election this dynamic, all eyes are on the polls. The latest Hankook Tire Gauge Index surveyed Americans about their plans for driving to the polls this Election Day, and found that while some Americans may keep their political preferences close to the vest, they are planning to keep both hands on the wheel to cast their votes.

Driver Registration
While the deadline to register to vote has passed, there's no deadline to showing off party spirit. Nearly one third (29%) of Americans drive a red or a blue car, but just like the nation, they're split on whether this color choice matches their political affiliation.

Getting There
Expect your commute to take a little longer on November 8, as 65% of likely voters will drive to the polling place on Election Day, according to the Gauge. The number of Americans driving to the polls varies just like the number of red and blue states, rising to 87% in the South and dropping to 41% in the West. Overall, one fifth (20%) of voters say they will cast an absentee or mail-in ballot.

Polls or Potholes
Regardless of how you will get to the polling station, beware of America's top-rated road hazards, which could delay your chance to cast your ballot. According to the latest Gauge, 38% elected potholes as the most dangerous road hazard. The runners up are animals in the road, with 28% of the vote.

To stay safe on the road to the polls this November, Hankook Tire offers some tips for safe fall driving:

Remember that leaves can be just as slippery as ice. If you encounter a pile of wet leaves on the road, drive slowly through them, and keep an eye out for any lane lines that might be obscured.
Keep in mind that shorter days mean less visibility. Don't forget to prepare for a darker commute by adjusting your rearview mirrors, and checking that your headlights work properly.
Check your tire pressure. As the temperature drops, your tires can lose air pressure. In fact, tire inflation drops with the temperature, decreasing 1-2 pounds for every 10 degree drop in ambient air temperature. Be sure to check that your tires are properly inflated and your tread is good. Take a penny and, with Lincoln's head upside down, insert it between the tread of the tire. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, it's time to go tire shopping.
For those who live in winter climates, be sure to change your tires to fit the season. Take advantage of the Hankook Great Winter Rebate, where you can save up to $80 on winter tires to keep your car all-weather ready.

And keep in mind, whether your candidate wins or not, 15% of Americans say they'd like to have a current or former president in the car on a road trip… but you'd have to have room for all the Secret Service. Luckily, since 16% of Americans prefer to drive an SUV in the winter, that shouldn't be a problem.

The Hankook Tire Gauge Index is a quarterly survey of Americans that uncovers their attitudes and opinions about all things related to driving. The summer installment of the survey, conducted October 12, 2016, polled 1,015 randomly selected Americans.

About Hankook Tire America Corp.
Hankook Tire America Corp. is a growing leader in the U.S. tire market, leveraging investments in technology, manufacturing and marketing to deliver high quality, reliable products that are safer for consumers and the environment. Headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., Hankook Tire markets and distributes a complete line of high performance and ultra-high performance passenger tires, light truck, SUV tires, as well as medium truck and bus tires in the United States.

SOURCE Hankook

CONTACT: Jamie Ernst / Brodeur on behalf of Hankook, 480-308-0286, jernst@brodeur.com | Mark Pozin / Brodeur on behalf of Hankook, 646-746-5609, mpozin@brodeur.com