Tire-Related Factors in the Pre-Crash Phase (NHTSA Technical Report DOT HS 811 617)

This study focuses on tire problems as experienced by light vehicles in the pre-crash phase. Of special interest are tire problems such as blowouts or flat tires, tire or wheel deficiency, tire or wheel failure, and tire degradation. The effect of crash factors on a vehicle experiencing such tire problems in the pre-crash phase is examined. Tire tread depth, tire pressure, driving experience, vehicle familiarity, rollover, aggressive driving acts, rollover, vehicle body type, and climatic and road conditions are the candidate factors. The National Motor Vehicle Crash Causation Survey (NMVCCS) data from 2005 to 2007 is used in the statistical analyses. This data, collected at the crash scene, provides information about what happened immediately prior to the crash.