Michelin Debuts National Tire Safety Curriculum for Teen Drivers

Next Phase of ‘Beyond the Driving Test’ Launches at ADTSEA National Conference

RALEIGH, N.C., July 10, 2015 — Continuing a national awareness program to reduce preventable crashes among teen drivers, Michelin and ADTSEA (the American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association) will launch their first joint tire-safety workshop on Saturday, July 11, at the 2015 ADTSEA National Conference in Raleigh, N.C. The workshop will introduce a new tire-safety education module to driving instructors from across the United States, aimed at teaching teen drivers simple facts about tire safety that will help them avoid crashes. Research shows that vehicle crashes are the top killer of teens in the United States.

“Michelin and ADTSEA are taking a key step forward in our shared mission to change the way new drivers are taught about the simple, life-saving topic of tire safety,” said Sheryl Wilkerson, vice president of federal government relations for Michelin North America, based in Greenville, S.C. “Michelin is committed to filling the large gap that exists in essential tire-safety knowledge among teen drivers to keep them safe on the roads.” 

As part of the new ADTSEA tire-safety module, Michelin will also debut new Tire Safety and Maintenance Videos that discuss how to properly check tire pressure, measure tread depth and install new tires.

Note to Raleigh editors: local tire dealer Black’s Tire will be on site for a tire safety demonstration

ADTSEA is the professional association representing traffic safety educators throughout the United States and abroad. In March 2015, ADTSEA received a $100,000 Teen Road Safety Grant from Michelin and the Federation Internationale de I’Automobile (FIA). Michelin and the FIA are calling for all 50 states to include consistent tire-safety information in their official drivers’ education materials by 2020, as part of Michelin’s ongoing Beyond the Driving Test campaign.

“Equipping new drivers with life-saving skills, information and training is our mission. Together with Michelin, we are directly addressing the issue of tire safety as an important focus for new drivers,” said Allen Robinson, chief executive officer of ADTSEA. “Thanks to our association with Michelin, hundreds of driving instructors will leave Raleigh equipped with a new understanding and new resources to train young drivers nationwide in the years ahead.”

Later this year, ADTSEA and Michelin will continue the initiative with a workshop in Miami this fall, followed by Long Beach, Calif., in early 2016. 

Automobile crashes are the No. 1 killer of teens in America, with nearly 2,500 deaths each year[1]. Of the 2.2 million vehicle crashes taking place annually, 12 percent involve inexperienced drivers and tire-related issues such as insufficient tread depth or improper tire inflation.² Teen drivers often lack the essential knowledge and skills that can help keep them safe on the roads, according to a new survey commissioned by Michelin North America and the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the governing body for world motor sport. This knowledge gap may result in nearly 300,000 preventable car crashes involving inexperienced drivers each year[2].

Michelin and FIA are making new resources available to help teens and parents brush up on their own car and tire maintenance skills, including a downloadable Glove Box Guide with important tips and this new series of YouTube videos featuring popular teens.

To access educational resources, including Michelin’s new Tire Safety and Maintenance Video, visit beyondthedrivingtest.com.