My grandfather had two simple rules – take care of your family and take care of your car. In that order. His thoughts were that if you took care of those two things then everything else would fall in line.
He must have impressed this upon my dad because as long as I can remember he always took care of the car. I can’t count the number of weekends that I would witness my dad taking apart and fixing the car. Sometimes this was met with frustration and sometimes elation at the ability (or challenge) of fixing it with his bare hands. I think it was a 1977 or ’78 Plymouth Volare Station-wagon. Something always seemed to break on it. And dad would fix it because we needed to be safe.
Cars are a big part of our identity and independence. They allow us to come and go. To visit friends and places that are far away. They allow us to work in places in which we do not live. They allow us to seek recreation and enjoyment. They also come with a sense of responsibility. Cars come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Despite the variety, one thing is for sure – no matter the condition, or value, of your car, you need to have tires that are safe (and in good condition).
Enter Michelin.
For over 125 years Michelin has not only manufactured tires, but has also been focused on road safety. The company feels not just a responsibility, but an opportunity to raise awareness in order to help reduce the 264, 000 crashes involving inexperienced drivers related to tire issues.
Many of us know that underinflated tires, or tires with low tread can lead to potential road hazards. In addition, they can cause problems with the vehicle later on down the line.
Many of these problems, and dangers can be prevented by doing simple tire pressure and tread depth checks.
As parents, we want our children safe in our own cars, and, potentially, cars that they own or drive when they get their licenses. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and National Safety Council, the span of days between Memorial Day and Labor Day is referred to as the 100 deadliest for teen drivers. Auto accidents are the #1 killer of teens in America totaling 25,000 deaths annually. 12% of the 2.2 million accidents with inexperienced drivers are due to tire related issues – 26% are due to low tread and 32% are related to improper tire pressure.
Hence the reason why Michelin is dedicated to reminding us what my grandfather always said, and what my dad tried to do – keep the car (and therefore the family) safe.
Getting your first car can be exciting
…but it is incumbent upon us to show and remind them simple things. Despite the staggering aforementioned numbers dealing with tire related accidents, the good news is that most of these are preventable with two simple checks – tire pressure and tread depth.
Keep your tires in good, safe condition and ensure that precious cargo that you are carrying – OR finally letting take control of the wheel.
Disclosure: I have partnered with Life of Dad and Michelin for this promotion. I have received compensation for my participation, but my first car memories are my own.
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