Underinflated tires in the United States
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Underinflated tires in the United States

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English
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  • Corporate Creators:
    United States. Government Accountability Office
  • Subject/TRT Terms:
  • Publication/ Report Number:
    GAO-07-246R
  • Resource Type:
    Policy Statement
  • Corporate Publisher:
    United States. Government Accountability Office
  • Abstract:
    Underinflated tires impact a driver’s ability to control a vehicle against skidding, blowouts, and other tire failures. While not a leading cause of highway accidents and fatalities, a NHTSA study shows that, in 1999, underinflated tires contributed to 247, or 0.8 percent, of 32,061 fatalities and 23,100, or 0.8 percent, of almost 3 million injuries. In addition, NHTSA estimates that 41 vehicular-related deaths occur annually because of blowouts alone from underinflated tires. Moreover, tires that are not inflated to the appropriate pressure result in a slight decline in fuel economy. The Department of Energy’s designated economist on this issue indicated that, of the 130 billion gallons of fuel that the Transportation Research Board (TRB)2 estimated were used in passenger cars and light trucks in 2005, about 1.2 billion gallons were wasted as a result of driving on underinflated tires. The federal government is using legislation, public information, and educational programs to inform the public about tire underinflation. For example, the Transportation Recall Enhancement Accountability Documentation (TREAD) Act of 2000 required NHTSA to develop regulations for installing a tire pressure monitoring system in new passenger cars and light trucks. These regulations are being phased in and will be effective for all new passenger cars and light trucks produced for the 2008 model year. The regulations will require a TPMS that will alert drivers when one or more tires are underinflated 25 percent below the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended inflation pressure or a minimum pressure specified in the regulation, whichever is higher.4 In addition, NHTSA works with industry to promote public awareness of the importance of properly inflated tires, and GSA provides information on the issue to federal agencies, such as DOD, that lease vehicles.
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