WORN TYRES, HEAT, & TYRE BURSTS - ACCIDENTS IN HOT SEASONS
Driving produces friction on tyres - as the tyres rub against the asphalt (road). Friction creates heat, too much heat causes tyre bursts.
*Important Factors to Remember*
Friction – Rubbing of tyre against road causes heat buildup.
Hot Molecules – Compressed air vibrates intensely to expand causing increase in tyre pressure (General rule 10 degrees’ Celsius change results in 0.1 PSI). Change may seem small but will causes over inflation that distorts vehicle braking and cornering. In simple terms a car fails to brake on time or make turn after steering.
*Dangers Posed by Worn out tyres in Summer*
Finished tyres doubles heat buildup.
Finished grooves (treads) – Grooves channel air in between tyres to cool them off, bald tyres don’t allow this so heat easily build up.
Loss of air pressure – Hot temperatures promote quick loss of pressure, worn tyres lose pressure at a faster rate than new tyres. Underinflated tyre overflex during rotation to promote massive heat buildup.
Treads also acts to resist tyre bursts by acting as cushion to prevent certain punctures.
*SAFETY in Hot Season*
i. Replace worn out tyres.
ii. Always check tyre pressure before a journey
iii. Do not over speed especially when its hot.
iv. Avoid overloading
v. Pull over to cool down your tyres
Don't depend on Tyre Pressure Monitors (TPMS) as they only monitor under-inflation not over-inflation.
Saturday, October 8, 2022
*Driver tiredness and fatigue*
You should not drive while tired or fatigued. Research has shown that tired drivers are a major road safety risk, both to themselves and to others.
If you are tired and fighting sleep, you are likely to experience ‘micro sleeps’.
These episodes can last up to 10 seconds and can be experienced even when your eyes are open.
During a micro-sleep of even 4 seconds, your car can travel 100 metres (more than the length of a football pitch) without you being in control of your vehicle.
Do not be tempted to keep driving when you are tired because you are only minutes from your destination. Many tiredness-related collisions occur within a few minutes of the driver’s destination as the body begins to relax.
REMEMBER
If you are suffering from a serious lack of sleep, the only cure is sleep.
