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You Might Miss A Fatal Flaw In Your Tire Even In A Routine Check


One man is dead, and three others are injured after a crash this morning on SH 130 in Southeast Travis County. Texas Department of Public Safety troopers say the four men were riding in a pickup truck and pulling a trailer when the right rear tire blew out.

"As to what exactly happened, all we know is that the right rear tire blew causing the driver to lose control of his truck,” says Robbie Barrera, a spokesperson for DPS.

Texas Department of Transportation officials say that in 2011 there were 907 crashes because of slick or defective tires -- 26 people died.

DPS says those slick or defective tires can cause blow outs leading to fatalities such as the one on SH 130.

Bill Flowers from Advanced Automotive and Tire says checking the pressure and tread is routine but there's something you may not know. "You may have a tire that looks great and has perfect pressure but if a tire is over 6 years old the rubber starts to get dry,” he says.

And that could cause a blow out when you get on the road.

Flowers says air pressure, age and punctures are the biggest contributors to blow outs but driving at higher speeds also can also be a factor.

The best thing you can do is get your tires checked every other oil change. Also make sure to tell your mechanic, don't assume your tires are checked just because you're getting your car serviced.

By Angel Covarrubias