Tire Blowouts Plague Arizona Drivers

Automotive repair professionals warn drivers in Arizona of an increased risk of a tire blowout due to the high temperatures, which has already caused five fatalities already this year, 12 News reports.

Aedan Livingston has been the service manager at Inman & Sons Auto and Truck Center in Phoenix, Arizona for five years. He cited “scorching asphalt heated by the sun and the friction from worn-out, or under-inflated tires” as the predominant cause of tire blowouts in warmer temperatures. 

“You are losing a lot more tread in the summertime in Arizona than in other places with cooler climates,” Livingston stated.

The shop is preparing for more work in the coming months as summer kicks into gear. Unfortunately, two fatal accidents have already occurred due to blowouts: one “along Interstate 10” in Marana, Arizona, and the other “south of Buckeye on State Route 85.”

Livingston has urged drivers to check their vehicles as the seasons change to avoid people getting hurt. Tread depth and wear, as well as age, are the top things he looks for, with tires under five years of age being his ideal. 

No sign of something going wrong should be ignored, and Livingston urges drivers with any doubt to consult a professional.