46% of drivers can’t identify symbol that could save their lives

Low tire pressure is something that should never be ignored, as the possible ramifications can run from the fairly harmless to the fatal. To make sure drivers are at least kept safe from driving with underinflated tires, the government mandated TPMS”s (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) be put on cars a few years back, indicating to the driver when one or more tires inflation level fell 25% or more below that of the manufacturers suggestion.

Unfortunately, 46% of drivers could not recognize the symbol that looks like a flat tire (complete with tire treads) with an exclamation point in the middle and identify it as the warning symbol that is emitted by the TPMS on every car. The survey was conducted by Schrader, a company that makes the systems.

Another 14% were under the impression that the symbol was a warning of other car issues, but not tires. The survey also found that 96% of drivers agree that driving with underinflated tires is dangerous. To combat the dangerous ignorance revealed by this survey, Schrader created a website to better educate drivers as to the purpose and function of the TPMS.

Check the site out at TPMSMadeSimple.com.

-By: Stephen Calogera

Source: USAToday