The Importance of Truck Tire Safety

"Truck mechanic inspecting tire tread depth and pressure for safety checks"

When truck tires are worn out, detreaded, or not properly inflated, they can pose a significant risk to drivers. Safety risks can stem from a variety of damages, including cracks, bludges, or worn down treads, so performing regular repairs and inspections is vital to maintaining vehicle performance and driver safety. In this article we will therefore cover methods that truck drivers and fleet owners can use to ensure proper safety for their vehicles

Maintain Proper Tire Inflation:

Improper tire inflation can affect the life of tire and overall truck performance, and the tires should be regularly checked for proper inflation. Using a calibrated air gauge is a reliable way to get accurate tire pressure readings.

Drive at a Reasonable Speed:

Driving at high speed can reduce the life of tires, especially with the added weight of trucking cargo. Maintaining reasonable driving speeds is therefore an important safety precaution, not only because it reduces wear and tear on the tread and increases the lifespan of the tires, but also because it decreases the risk of potential blowouts that can occur as the result of driving on worn out tires.

Have a Tire Tracking Program in Place:

Regularly tracking the tread depth of your fleet’s tires will help identify wear patterns and deflation before they become serious issues.

Inspect Tires Before Every Trip:

Drivers can also help mitigate risk by inspecting tires for wear and tear, cracks, bulges, deflation, or other potentially hazardous defects.

Make Sure Wheels are Aligned:

Wheel alignment is critical for preventing irregular wear and tear on tires, thereby decreasing risk of potential accidents while operating.

 

Published: Bernard Clapp, Source: OTRUSA.com

Share