Road Ready Foundation Addresses Teen Tire Safety Crisis Following Preventable Tragedies

The National Transportation Safety Board reports that approximately 33,000 car crashes each year in the U.S. are directly linked to tire-related issues such as tread separation, blowouts, worn or bald tires and improper inflation. These preventable incidents contribute to over 700 lives being lost annually, creating what safety advocates call a silent threat on American roadways. The statistics highlight a critical public safety concern that disproportionately affects inexperienced drivers who lack basic vehicle maintenance knowledge.

After tragically losing his 19-year-old son Jackson in a preventable tire-related crash, Georgia father Alex Bebiak created the Road Ready Foundation with a simple but powerful mission: educate teens and parents about basic tire safety and the importance of regular inspections. Bebiak's personal tragedy has transformed into a nationwide educational campaign targeting the demographic most at risk. His foundation represents a growing movement to address what safety experts identify as one of the most overlooked aspects of vehicle maintenance, particularly among inexperienced drivers who may not recognize the dangers of worn or improperly maintained tires.

Statistics reveal alarming gaps in teen driver awareness about tire maintenance. Based on what Alex is seeing at the high schools he visits, three out of 10 teenagers are driving on unsafe tires. Michelin research confirms this concern, showing that 43% of teens have never checked their tire tread depth, and 32% have never checked tire pressure. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted educational initiatives that can bridge the knowledge gap and prevent future tragedies.

The Road Ready Foundation uses the three "I's" as a guide to ensuring that tires are safe for travel: inspect the tread, inflate/check tire pressure, and install properly and in a timely manner. The organization promotes the quarter test as a simple visual tool to determine if tread depth remains at safe levels, providing teenagers with practical skills they can immediately apply to their vehicles. This hands-on approach empowers young drivers with the knowledge to conduct basic safety checks independently.

Local media has taken significant interest in the foundation's work, with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution covering Bebiak's story and mission. The timing coincides with National Teen Driver Safety Week in October, highlighting the ongoing need for tire safety education among young drivers and their parents. Bebiak's emotional message, documented in a video available through the foundation, serves as both a cautionary tale and empowerment tool for families. The foundation's work demonstrates how personal tragedy can catalyze meaningful change in public safety awareness and prevention efforts.