On Feb. 10, 2023, Alex Bebiak and his family received a devastating phone call: their 19-year-old son, Jackson, was in a serious car accident while on his way to the beach with college friends. He was placed on life support at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. When the Bebiaks got to the hospital, they learned doctors could not do anything for Jackson due to the nature of his injuries. As a registered organ donor, Jackson’s family found great solace in knowing his donated organs helped save the lives of three other people. His resting day was Feb. 13, 2023.
When the Bebiaks retrieved Jackson’s belongings from the vehicle, they noticed the tires had virtually no tread. The accident had occurred during a rainstorm, and the Florida Highway Patrol later confirmed that the unsafe tires caused the vehicle to hydroplane. Despite traveling below the speed limit, wearing seatbelts, and the airbags deploying, Jackson (who was a passenger in the front seat) suffered severe injuries. Thankfully, the driver and another passenger sustained less serious injuries and recovered fully.
This tragedy drove the Bebiak family to create the Road Ready Foundation (roadreadyfoundation.org) to educate young drivers about proper tire maintenance. Road Ready emphasizes tire safety, the importance of checking tread and inflation levels, and rotating and replacing tires. While beneficial for all drivers, Alex notes, “Statistically, drivers aged 16-19 are more likely to be involved in accidents due to inexperience, so our focus is on educating young drivers.” The foundation’s motto is “Tread Wisely,” and its vision is to create a world where individuals, families, and communities embrace tire safety as a fundamental aspect of responsible road behavior.
Tires for Teens, one of Road Ready Foundation’s initial programs, seeks to provide tire maintenance education directly to young drivers. “Research shows nearly half of young drivers have never checked their tires and don’t know how,” Alex states. “We are working on developing the right partnerships with tire professionals to host educational events and offer professional diagnoses of tire tread and pressure along with maintenance information.”
Another initiative, “Change for Change – Where Pennies Save Lives,” aims to raise awareness and funds. This program highlights the “Penny Test,” where drivers insert a penny into the tire tread groove. If the top of Abraham Lincoln’s head is visible, it is time to replace the tire. As a rule, tread depth should be at least 2/32 of an inch.
Alex points to statistics indicating that unsafe tires cause four in 10 accidents, which is statistically like accidents resulting from distracted driving. He explains, “Young drivers don’t realize how tire issues affect car performance, especially in rain or snow. Proper tread depth significantly reduces the risk of hydroplaning or skidding.”
According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, tires are the cause of 33,000 accidents per year. Specifically, tire failure causes 11,000 accidents and 200 deaths a year. In a U.S.A study by the National Transportation Safety Board, research found that most tire-related crashes can be prevented, and though actions that can reduce tire failure-related injuries and deaths are known, people continue to debate them rather than implement them.
Sgt. Chase Woodie of the Georgia Department of Public Safety emphasizes the importance of tire safety, noting frequent encounters with unsafe tires during traffic stops. “Drivers should look for uneven wear, cracks, or bulges,” he said. “If the steel ply is showing, the tire could blow out.” He stresses the importance of tire rotation and vehicle alignment for preventing uneven wear and notes that officers can cite motorists for driving with unsafe tires. However, he stresses that “it isn’t just about complying with the law. It’s about keeping yourself and others safe on the roadway. Timely tire replacement prevents crashes. It can save your life and the lives of others.”
Road Ready has a presence at Caffeine and Octane, one of the largest car shows in the Southeast. Alex notes that the monthly event in Kennesaw, Georgia, is a perfect venue to drive home another important — and often overlooked — aspect of tire safety. “A lot of hobbyists rarely drive these cars. Tires have warranties for mileage and a specific time-period. A lot of people don’t realize this. People who don’t drive very often may look and see they still have good tread, but if the tires are over six years old, they’re expired. They can rot from the inside and are just as dangerous as tires with no tread left.”
Alex speaks regularly to people about the need to replace worn tires, and many say they put it off because of the cost. He understands concerns about the expense but chooses instead to emphasize their value. “What is your life worth? Is it $1,000? No, I’m sure it’s worth a lot more than that,” he notes.
Future initiatives for Road Ready include scholarships, awards, tire giveaways, legislative measures, and other tools to increase awareness and reward safe drivers. Alex aims to expand these programs by 2025, stressing the need for better tire safety information. “The only thing between your car and the road is that tire,” he adds. “Why would people neglect the one thing that is keeping them safe?”
For more information, email Michael Erickson at michael@thinkmla.com, or visit roadreadyfoundation.org.
