Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
October 14, 2025
Father's Mission: Prevent Teen Tire Deaths After Son's Tragedy
TLDR
- Regular tire inspections give drivers a safety advantage by preventing the 33,000 annual crashes linked to tire issues.
- The Road Ready Foundation teaches the three I's method: inspect tread depth, inflate to proper pressure, and install tires correctly.
- Alex Bebiak's foundation saves lives by educating teens and parents about tire safety, preventing future tragedies on the road.
- The quarter test provides a quick visual check to determine if tire tread depth meets safe driving standards.
Impact - Why it Matters
This news matters because tire-related crashes represent a preventable threat that claims over 700 lives annually in the U.S., with teenagers being particularly vulnerable due to lack of maintenance knowledge and experience. Most drivers underestimate the critical role proper tire maintenance plays in vehicle safety, and young drivers often inherit vehicles with existing tire issues or lack the knowledge to maintain them properly. The statistics showing that 30% of teens drive on unsafe tires and nearly half have never checked tread depth reveal a widespread safety gap that puts not only young drivers at risk but everyone sharing the road with them. Proper tire maintenance is one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to prevent accidents, yet it remains overlooked in driver education and parental guidance. The emotional and financial devastation of preventable tire-related crashes affects families across socioeconomic backgrounds, making this an issue of universal importance that demands immediate attention and education.
Summary
As National Teen Driver Safety Week approaches in October, a critical safety issue is emerging that puts young drivers at risk every time they get behind the wheel—unsafe tires. The National Transportation Safety Board reports approximately 33,000 car crashes annually in the U.S. are directly linked to tire-related issues including tread separation, blowouts, worn or bald tires, and improper inflation. These preventable incidents contribute to over 700 lives lost each year, highlighting a dangerous oversight in vehicle maintenance that affects drivers nationwide.
The Road Ready Foundation, created by Georgia father Alex Bebiak after he tragically lost his 19-year-old son Jackson in a preventable tire-related crash, has taken up the mission to educate teens and parents about basic tire safety. Based on observations from high school visits, the foundation reports that three out of ten teenagers are driving on unsafe tires. Michelin research further reveals that 43% of teens have never checked their tire tread depth, and 32% have never checked tire pressure—statistics that underscore the urgent need for education and awareness campaigns targeting young drivers and their families.
The foundation promotes the three "I's" as a practical guide to tire safety: inspect the tread, inflate/check tire pressure, and install properly and in a timely manner. They advocate for simple tools like the quarter test to determine if tread depth remains safe. Alex Bebiak's emotional story, available in video format with his family's full account, serves as a powerful reminder of the real-world consequences of tire neglect. The foundation's work has gained media attention, including coverage in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, demonstrating growing recognition of this critical safety issue that affects millions of young drivers and their families across the country.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by citybiz. Read the original source here, Father's Mission: Prevent Teen Tire Deaths After Son's Tragedy
