Annually, there are about 11,000 tire-related crashes across the states. If you live in any area which is regularly below 45 degrees during the winter, car accident lawyers will advise you to invest in winter tires. Unfortunately, only 16 percent of drivers in the U.S. seem to follow this crucial tip.
The rubber in summer tires performs well at temperatures ranging from 50 to 100 degrees. As you can see, when temperatures begin to take a dip, your tires are prone to becoming brittle, which can lead to cracking.
Winter tires are made of different rubber which stay soft below 50 degrees, increasing their lifespan and keeping you safe while on the road.
Winter Tire Characteristics
Tires are the main contact between your vehicle and the road. This is why investing in winter tires is a must.
Tread Rubber: Extremely cold temperatures cause tread rubber to stiffen in summer and all-season tires. This leads to less traction between the tire and the road. In winter tires, you’ll find that the tread rubber compound is flexible, allowing the tire to grip the road better.
Tread Depth and Patterns: Winter tires offer unique patterns and deeper thread. Deep thread reduces the snow buildup and provides vehicles with better traction. Winter tire tread patterns are also designed to channel slush and snow.
Biting Edges: Thousands of tiny slits in the tread called biting edges and high snipe densities provide proper traction while driving over ice.
The Downfall of All-Season Tires
Car accident lawyers see thousands of annual cases regarding winter auto accidents. As we mentioned in the beginning of this blog, most of these accidents are tire related. Most people will choose to go with all-season tires because of the affordable pricing and promise that they are good for every season. However, the rubber in all-season tires cannot handle the extreme temperature drops that come with winter. This makes all-season tires good for late spring, summer, early fall, but that’s about it.
If you’ve been injured in an accident because of a reckless driver, give the car accident lawyers at Robert J. DeBry and Associates a call.