Cooper Tire Joins with Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and Ohio Highway Patrol to Promote National Tire Safety Week May 24-30

Cooper-sponsored pro driver Arie Luyendyk Jr. and Ohio highway safety officials find common ground in tire safety, helping drivers “Know B4 U Go”

FINDLAY, Ohio--()--Cooper Tire & Rubber Company is teaming up with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Ohio State Highway Patrol to create a partnership that will share important information on tire safety with drivers during National Tire Safety Week May 24-30. The campaign—Know B4 U Go—focuses on tire safety just in time for the Memorial Day holiday, when more than 1.3 million drivers are expected to traverse Ohio highways according to the American Automobile Association (AAA).

A special video hosted by Cooper-sponsored professional driver Arie Luyendyk Jr., provides a brief tutorial on how consumers can properly check tire pressure and tread wear and assess the general condition of their tires before hitting the road this travel season. One of the most popular figures in racing, Luyendyk has made his mark at the Indy 500 and other premier venues and now races on Cooper tires in the exciting off-road TORC series. The tire safety video is available at http://us.coopertire.com/Tire-Safety/Tire-Safety-Week.aspx and focuses on three key aspects:

  • Tire pressure: Drivers are advised to check their tire pressure when tires are cool—at least three hours after the last time a vehicle has been driven—and to be sure they know the proper tire pressure for their vehicle. The correct tire pressure is not shown on the tire, but is listed in the car’s owner's manual, on the door jamb, or the glove box door. In the video, Luyendyk demonstrates how to use a tire pressure gauge to assure tires are properly inflated. Properly inflated tires lead to better control of the vehicle, improved fuel consumption and help avoid uneven tread wear.
  • Tread depth: Proper tread depth helps tires maintain traction, improve handling, and prevent hydroplaning on wet roads. In the video, drivers are shown how to assess their tire’s tread depth using a common U.S. penny.
  • Tire condition: It’s important that tires are routinely checked for cuts, cracks, splits, punctures and bulges, which could cause tire failure. Luyendyk advises drivers to check the condition of their tires before every lengthy road trip and at least monthly.

“I’m all about pushing the upward limits of speed in racing while Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers are all about staying within speed limits on the highway. That certainly makes us an interesting combination for the Know B4 U Go campaign,” Luyendyk said. “What brings us together from our two different worlds is a commitment to keeping drivers safe on the road. Tires are a big part the message. After all, tires are the only thing between a driver’s vehicle and the road, so it’s critical that they are properly maintained. I’m honored to team with Cooper as well as ODOT and the Ohio State Highway Patrol to put a focus on tire safety during the height of the travel season,” Luyendyk added.

“We may view miles per hour from a completely different vantage point, but we are united when it comes to safety,” said Lt. Craig Cvetan, spokesperson for the Ohio State Highway Patrol. “We are pleased to team up with Cooper Tire and Arie Luyendyk Jr. to spread this important information on tire safety. Safety should be the top priority when Ohioans and their families take to the road because trips should not be spoiled by an incident that could have been prevented through proper vehicle maintenance, such as a tire check.”

In addition to the video, drivers visiting all of Ohio’s Tourist Information Centers located within highway Rest Areas across the state can pick up a handy guide that explains how to check tire pressure and tread wear and assess the general condition of their tires. The guide is sized for glove boxes so drivers can keep the information close during the summer road trip season.

Social media will be another major outreach tool in the campaign and drivers should watch for information and special giveaways on Cooper’s Facebook and Twitter channels at www.facebook.com/coopertire and www.twitter.com/coopertire using #CooperKnowB4UGo. In addition, drivers should check for information on @ODOT_Statewide and https://www.facebook.com/OhioDepartmentOfTransportation as well as on @OSHP and https://www.facebook.com/OhioStateHighwayPatrol.

About Cooper Tire & Rubber Company

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company (NYSE: CTB) is the parent company of a global family of companies that specialize in the design, manufacture, marketing and sale of passenger car and light truck tires. Cooper and its subsidiaries also sell medium truck, motorcycle and racing tires. Cooper's headquarters is in Findlay, Ohio, with manufacturing, sales, distribution, technical and design facilities within its family of companies located in 11 countries around the world. For more information on Cooper, visit www.coopertire.com, www.facebook.com/coopertire or www.twitter.com/coopertire.

About the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Ohio Highway Patrol

Ohio’s highways are essential to keeping and creating new jobs. With a mission to provide easy movement of people and goods from place to place, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is responsible for maintaining one of the largest transportation networks in the nation. Guided by ethical principles and accountability, ODOT works to improve safety, enhance travel and advance economic development. As a nearly $3 billion enterprise, the department wisely invests in its core services of snow and ice removal, annual construction program and highway maintenance operations.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) is an internationally accredited agency whose mission is to protect life and property, promote traffic safety and provide professional public safety services with respect, compassion, and unbiased professionalism. As national leaders, OSHP collaborates with community and safety partners to provide services focused on deterring crime and promoting traffic safety to improve the quality of life for those we serve.

About National Tire Safety Week

National Tire Safety Week is an initiative of the Rubber Manufacturers Association’s (RMA) “Be Tire Smart – Play Your PART” program, a year-round effort designed to help drivers learn the simple steps they can take to ensure that their tires are in good working condition. RMA is the national trade association for tire manufacturers. The Be Tire Smart program is funded by RMA’s tire manufacturer members. For more information on the Be Tire Smart Program and National Tire Safety Week visit www.betiresmart.org.

Contacts

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
Anne Roman, 419-429-7189
alroman@coopertire.com

Contacts

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
Anne Roman, 419-429-7189
alroman@coopertire.com