No. H 095/07
For release May 18, 2007
OTTAWA — As Canadians prepare for the May long weekend, Transport Canada today urged drivers to remember an important element of road safety – tire maintenance. In the spirit of Be Tire Smart Week, the department encouraged the travelling public to be concerned with the condition of their tires, including air pressure, alignment, rotation and tread.
"Approximately 70 per cent of motorists have at least one tire that is underinflated. Not only does this reduce tire lifespan, it compromises fuel efficiency and most importantly, safety. Underinflated tires can lead to sudden tire failure, which could lead to serious injury," said the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.
Proper tire maintenance is not only critical to the safe operation of your vehicle, but will also:
improve fuel economy;
extend tire life;
provide better vehicle handling;
help to prevent avoidable breakdowns and collisions; and
reduce emissions.
"Properly inflated tires also reduce emissions that pollute the environment, affect human health and contribute to global climate change," added Minister Cannon.
Transport Canada also encouraged the public to obtain a copy of Riding On Air, which includes critical safety information on maintaining tires, available at www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/tp/tp2823/menu.htm.
For additional information on tire safety, visit www.betiresmart.ca/index.asp.
For further information on road safety, visit www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/menu.htm.
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Contacts:
Natalie Sarafian
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Fiona MacLeod
Communications
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at apps.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada.
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