Summer of Road Safety
01 april 2011
Moscow, March 23, 2011 – Goodyear is urging Russian motorists to drive consciously during the summer period. As part of Goodyear's Summer Safety Tour and the return of its iconic corporate airships to Europe, the company highlights that most road accidents occur during the summer, not winter.
Goodyear Airship
While winter weather conditions can be the most unpleasant – from snow and ice to non-stop rain leading to aquaplaning – research shows that the increased number of accidents during the summer is due to drivers' decreased attention to road safety during this time of year.
According to statistics, the peak of accidents falls in August – the period of mass vacations. And the fewest accidents occur in February (almost 2 times less than in August). Thus, in February 2010, 10,188 road accidents occurred, resulting in the deaths of almost 1,200 people. August of the same year saw over 21,000 accidents, in which more than 3,000 people died.
According to the latest official data from the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs' State Traffic Safety Inspectorate, over the past 2 months (January-February 2011), about 21,000 road accidents were recorded on the country's roads, which is 4.1% less than the same period last year. As a result, more than 2,500 people died (1.1% more) and over 26,000 people were injured (3.1% less).
The difference between understanding and action
Every year, thousands of motorists across Europe embark on long, often difficult journeys without checking their vehicles or getting enough rest. Meanwhile, research data shows that lack of proper vehicle maintenance and driver fatigue are two key causes of summer accidents.
Proper vehicle maintenance includes tire care. According to a recent Goodyear Dunlop survey on drivers' knowledge of road safety, their existing beliefs, and driving habits, many motorists recognize the importance of tires but do not always check their vehicle's tires for readiness for operation. "Incorrect vehicle and tire maintenance can put the driver's and other road users' lives at risk," says Ugo Deprez, Goodyear brand director for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. "Choosing the right tires can play an important role in road safety. As shown by tests conducted by the TÜV SÜD Automotive testing and certification organization, using tires like the new Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 can reduce the braking distance by 3 meters," explains Deprez.
According to TÜV SÜD Automotive, the difference in braking between high-quality tires and low-quality Asian tires is very significant. Thus, tests have shown that the braking distance on a wet road increases by 21.7 meters immediately after installing low-quality tires. At the moment when a vehicle with high-quality tires has already stopped, a car with low-quality tires is still moving at a speed of 47.4 km/h.
"Our research shows that although 82% of drivers stated that tires are an important component of safe driving, 44% do not know how to check tire pressure, and 37% of respondents admitted that they would continue to use worn-out tires," adds Deprez. "This huge gap between understanding and action is a cause for concern."
"Goodyear believes that safe driving is a shared responsibility. Authorities should ensure proper road quality, tire manufacturers should introduce new technologies in their products for safe driving, and motorists, in turn, should properly maintain their vehicles and tires, as well as choose a driving style that corresponds to the specific road situation and weather conditions. By working together, we can make the roads safer for everyone," explains Deprez.
Goodyear Airship
While winter weather conditions can be the most unpleasant – from snow and ice to non-stop rain leading to aquaplaning – research shows that the increased number of accidents during the summer is due to drivers' decreased attention to road safety during this time of year.
According to statistics, the peak of accidents falls in August – the period of mass vacations. And the fewest accidents occur in February (almost 2 times less than in August). Thus, in February 2010, 10,188 road accidents occurred, resulting in the deaths of almost 1,200 people. August of the same year saw over 21,000 accidents, in which more than 3,000 people died.
According to the latest official data from the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs' State Traffic Safety Inspectorate, over the past 2 months (January-February 2011), about 21,000 road accidents were recorded on the country's roads, which is 4.1% less than the same period last year. As a result, more than 2,500 people died (1.1% more) and over 26,000 people were injured (3.1% less).
The difference between understanding and action
Every year, thousands of motorists across Europe embark on long, often difficult journeys without checking their vehicles or getting enough rest. Meanwhile, research data shows that lack of proper vehicle maintenance and driver fatigue are two key causes of summer accidents.
Proper vehicle maintenance includes tire care. According to a recent Goodyear Dunlop survey on drivers' knowledge of road safety, their existing beliefs, and driving habits, many motorists recognize the importance of tires but do not always check their vehicle's tires for readiness for operation. "Incorrect vehicle and tire maintenance can put the driver's and other road users' lives at risk," says Ugo Deprez, Goodyear brand director for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. "Choosing the right tires can play an important role in road safety. As shown by tests conducted by the TÜV SÜD Automotive testing and certification organization, using tires like the new Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 can reduce the braking distance by 3 meters," explains Deprez.
According to TÜV SÜD Automotive, the difference in braking between high-quality tires and low-quality Asian tires is very significant. Thus, tests have shown that the braking distance on a wet road increases by 21.7 meters immediately after installing low-quality tires. At the moment when a vehicle with high-quality tires has already stopped, a car with low-quality tires is still moving at a speed of 47.4 km/h.
"Our research shows that although 82% of drivers stated that tires are an important component of safe driving, 44% do not know how to check tire pressure, and 37% of respondents admitted that they would continue to use worn-out tires," adds Deprez. "This huge gap between understanding and action is a cause for concern."
"Goodyear believes that safe driving is a shared responsibility. Authorities should ensure proper road quality, tire manufacturers should introduce new technologies in their products for safe driving, and motorists, in turn, should properly maintain their vehicles and tires, as well as choose a driving style that corresponds to the specific road situation and weather conditions. By working together, we can make the roads safer for everyone," explains Deprez.