A pickup truck traveling 55 mph on worn tires hits a pool of water and loses control. As a result, the driver crosses the median and slams head-on into another vehicle. The injuries are catastrophic.
Could this auto accident have been avoided? Absolutely!
Hydroplaning happens when a layer of water on the roadway prevents direct contact between the tires and the road surface. When a car starts to hydroplane, you lose the ability to steer and brake your vehicle. Experts advise taking your foot off the gas pedal and waiting for your vehicle to regain traction.
There are three factors that contribute to hydroplaning: water on the road, speed of the vehicle, and the condition of tires.
How can you avoid hydroplaning? Don't drive with badly worn tires, ensure your tires are properly inflated, adjust your speed according to the road conditions and don't use cruise control on wet roads.
What is the TREAD Act?
The TREAD Act (Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation Act ) was enacted in the fall of 2000 in response to safety of Firestone Tires. There are three major components of the TREAD Act.
1. It requires that vehicle manufacturers report to the National Highway & Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) when it conducts a safety recall or other safety campaign in a foreign country.
2. Vehicle manufacturers need to report information related to defects, reports of injury or death related to its products, as well as other relevant data in order to comply with "Early Warning" requirements.
3. There is criminal liability where a vehicle manufacturer intentionally violates the new reporting requirements when a safety-related defect has subsequently caused death or serious bodily injury.
The "Early Warning" requirement is the key feature of the TREAD Act and enables the NHTSA to collect data, notice trends, and warn consumers of potential defects in vehicles. |