Extreme Heat Means Increased Danger For DFW Motorists
According to Dallas-Fort Worth meteorologists, today is the 24th consecutive day for temperatures to hit 100°F. In addition to the increased electric bill (thank-you A/C) and the dried-out lawn, I’m here to tell you as a Tarrant County personal injury lawyer that the sweltering heat can also be a concern for your vehicle. Obviously cars have a tendency to overheat in the Texas summers anyway, so it’s always important to regularly check and make sure your radiator is working effectively throughout July and August. One of the main hazards caused by this year’s almost 4-week long heat wave is tire blowouts.
A tire blowout can be dangerous because it happens to suddenly it can cause you to lose control of your car, meaning potential danger both to yourself and other road users. The problem also affects motorcyclists too, not to mention commercial trucks, which are probably most dangerous of all vehicles on Texas roads. Imagine driving past a huge 18-wheeler truck when one of their tires explodes: it’s a scary thought!
Aside from the increased risk of collision a blown out tire can cause, it can also leave drivers stranded in the middle of the road, causing an obstacle for other motorists. Similarly, the more tires that burst on the highway, the more tire debris are left behind for other drivers to try and avoid. Unfortunately, there is really nothing that can be done to prevent tire blowouts, save for regularly maintaining your vehicle to avoid any potential problems the weather might cause. This includes issues with the air conditioning, battery, engine and transmission as well.
Mark Anderson is a board certified traffic crash attorney. If you or a loved one have be injured in an auto collision, get a free copy of Mark’s book 15 Mistakes That Will Wreck Your Texas Accident Case.
