The deaths of two 18-year-olds on I-75 just two weeks apart are both tire-related. The latest was last Wednesday. According to the Fayette County Coroner’s office, a Mount Sterling man was killed in a construction zone near the Clays Ferry Bridge when a tire flew off a passing vehicle. Lori Weaver Hawkins, the public affairs manager for Triple-A Bluegrass, said tire maintenance is often overlooked and some checks are easy.
“Take a Washington quarter, turn it upside down, stick it into one of the grooves on your tire with the with headfirst. And if you can see the top of George's head on that quarter, then your tires are too worn.”
Weaver Hawkins said maintaining proper tire pressure not only extends the life of the tires and saves gas, but it also makes for a safer drive. She said there’s another tire hazard all motorists should be aware of: tire scraps from 18-wheelers.
“Stay back as far as you can, don't be coming right up on those large trucks like that. When you need to pass, if they're going below speed limit and you want to pass, safely move over to the left lane before you're coming up on them.”
Weaver Hawkins said last year, her car suffered major damage when struck by a shredded 18-wheel tire at night. She said the safe distance between her vehicle and the truck kept it from being worse.
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