Attorney General Mark Barnett Launches “Safe Trip” Campaign

(Pierre)  - In an effort to make travel safer in South Dakota this summer, Attorney General Mark Barnett launched a public service message today highlighting the importance of proper tire maintenance.  The “Safe Trip” campaign encourages drivers to check their tire pressure before hitting the road.    

“As we approach the start of the summer travel season, I want people to understand that proper tire inflation can help cut down on the number of accidents we see on our highways each year,” said Barnett.

The “Safe Trip” campaign is a nationwide public awareness campaign on tire safety. It is sponsored by the Attorneys General and consumer protection offices in all 50 states.  Those offices will be working to educate drivers about the importance of tire safety.  

The campaign features television and radio ads, which will air nationwide around the three peak summer travel holidays: Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day.  The ads talk about the dangers of overloaded vehicles and improperly inflated tires
–especially in hot weather.  The ads encourage drivers to take a minute to check out their tires and visit www.safetrip.org to find out more about tire safety and the importance of proper tire inflation.

Funding for the “Safe Trip” campaign was set aside as part of the settlement reached in November 2001 by the Attorneys General from all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Corporation Counsel of the District of Columbia and Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.  

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