70% of Maritime vehicles have poorly-inflated tires

More than 70% of Maritime passenger vehicles have improperly inflated tires – a potentially serious problem that leads to reduced road safety, according to a study by the Rubber Association of Canada and Natural Resources Canada.
The Maritime number is high, but it is on par with the national average, the study found. Across the country, 70% of passenger cars and light trucks have at least one tire that is improperly inflated by at least 10%. Across Canada, 40% of vehicles have at least one tire that is 20% misinflated.
In addition to the findings on improper tire inflation, the study found that motorists do not know where to look for the proper tire pressure ratings for their vehicle, when to measure tire pressure and what are the proper tire maintenance procedures.
One of the most alarming statistics in the study, for example, was that more than half of those surveyed believed a visual check of their tires was sufficient to tell if they were properly inflated. In fact, the only accurate way to measure tire pressure is with a calibrated tire gauge.
Based on the survey results, the Rubber Association of Canada and its partners Natural Resources Canada, the Sierra Club of Canada-Atlantic Canada Chapter and the Atlantic Tire Dealers Association are hosting a public tire clinic in Halifax to draw Atlantic Canadians’ attention to the problem. The tire clinic is part of the Be Tire Smart – Play Your Part campaign, the first program of its kind in Canada to focus on the safety, environmental and cost benefits of proper tire inflation and maintenance, and to encourage Canadian motorists to “get serious” about their tires.
“We recommend that if you are unsure about proper tire inflation levels for the tires on your vehicle, ask a professional,” said Glenn Maidment, President of The Rubber Association of Canada. “Tires generally perform so reliably that people tend to take them for granted, but like all products, they work best when they are properly maintained.”