Road Safety Top of Mind During Holiday Season
Thirty per cent fail tire safety test along Alberta Highway
WESTLOCK, AB, Dec. 21, 2017 /CNW/ - As many families pack up the car and travel on our province's highways over the holidays, Fountain Tire wants to be sure they are doing so safely. The company recently put vehicles to the test to see if they would pass.
According to a study by Alberta Transportation, Highway 44 saw the most fatal collisions in Alberta between 2005 and 2014, making it one of the most dangerous highways in the province. Earlier this winter, Fountain Tire scanned a sample of vehicles approaching the highway to test whether they were traveling on safe tires. The company used 3D imaging technology to instantaneously scan the tread depth of vehicles as they drove into a Westlock, Alberta gas station. More than 30 per cent of vehicles failed.
"Worn tire treads increase the chances of an accident by 26 per cent in poor conditions," says Kristi Dubeau, General Manager, Marketing at Fountain Tire. "Many Albertans think about switching to winter tires in October, but it is just as important to inspect your tires at this time of year, particularly as holiday travel increases."
As a part of Fountain Tire's test, drivers were provided with a detailed report of their tire tread depth and given a passing or failing grade. Those who failed were directed to the local Fountain Tire where they were given a free set of winter tires.
"Winter tires help you brake up to 30 per cent sooner on winter roads," adds Dubeau. "We want drivers to get where they need to go safely, whether that's down the highway or down the block."
Fountain Tire recommends drivers change their tires when there is just 1.6 mm tread depth remaining on all season tires or 3.2 mm on winter tires. Tire treads remove moisture from between the tire and the road, therefore proper tread depth is critical to how the tire grips the road and ultimately how quickly a vehicle can stop. Winter tires are specially designed to perform best in temperatures between 7 degrees and minus 30 degrees Celsius and increase traction on ice, snow and slush.
There are several ways to measure tire tread. One method is to use a tread depth gauge, an inexpensive device that can be purchased at most auto supply stores. If a tire's wear bars – solid bars of rubber across the width of the tread – are showing, the tires need to be replaced. Drivers can also visit any Fountain Tire location, regardless of where their tires were purchased, for a free inspection.
A video featuring Fountain Tire's safety test can be viewed at https://youtu.be/b1TTQnhCQ4c.
About Fountain Tire
Established in 1956, Fountain Tire is one of Canada's premier tire and automotive service retail networks with 159 locations spanning Central and Western Canada from Vaughan, north of Toronto to Victoria, British Columbia. The company is also a leading provider of tires and tire-related services to commercial truck fleets and off-road vehicles used in the agriculture, oil and gas, mining, and construction sectors. The majority of Fountain Tire managers own equity in their stores. This partnership-based business model combines community-invested store management with corporate intelligence to provide customers with service they can trust. The company's shared ownership business model has enabled it to be named among Canada's "Best Managed Companies" every year since 1994.
Photos and b-roll footage available.
Local Fountain Tire store owners across Alberta available for interview.
SOURCE Fountain Tire
CONTACT: For media inquiries and to schedule an interview, please contact: Tanya Anand, Covalent Communications, 403-681-1048
