Tire blowout a factor in Friday's fatal crash, prompting safety reminders

PIMA COUNTY, AZ (Tucson News Now) - Tucson News Now has learned a tire blowout played a role in Friday's fatal crash on Interstate 10, near Kolb.

It's brought about a reminder on tire safety.

Next time you hit the road, keep a couple of things in mind. If your tire pressure light comes on, you won't want to push the limit.

TNN caught up with some experts to get some safety tips.

It brought us to Terry Newman, the owner of Rita Ranch Tire & Automotive.

He has been in the tire business for a long time and has seen plenty of worst case scenarios.

"I've seen people have a blow out and turn their car. I've had people have a blow out and run into another car," he said.

The Arizona heat doesn't help any situation. Newman said tires in our temps can only last about five to six years.

That may not be the kind of hot wheels you want to collect.

"If I'm traveling around town, I'll probably do it more periodically, a couple times during the month."

Experts would likely say drivers like Fernando Careaga are on the right track.

He said he typically checks the air in his tires once a month to be safe, "Just to be careful, because you never know. It's always important to keep up with maintenance on the vehicle."

However, there are also a number of other things to watch out for. One thing you'll always want to pay attention to is the depth of your tire tread.

You can test it all with a penny. It's simple. Put the penny in between the ribs of your tire, and if you can see the whole president's head, it may be time for a new one.

Another thing to check is the date on the tire. If it's past that date, change those tires!

Newman said if you're ever questioning anything about your car's tires, it's best to head to a shop for help. The worst case scenario is never worth the risk.

"It can actually be like a little bomb on your car and blow your car which is like 10,000 or 5,000 pounds towards another vehicle or person," Newman explained. Safety should always be a priority.