NBSIR 75-734

Report on an Investigation of the

High Speed Hazards of Steel Belted

Radial Tires on Police Patrol Cars

Jared J. Collard

Law Enforcement Standards Laboratory

Center for Consumer Product Technology

Institute for Applied Technology

National Bureau of Standards

Washington, D. C. 20234

June 1975

Final

Prepared for National Institute of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice

Law Enforcement Assistance Administration

Department of Justice

Washington, D. C. 20531

NBSIR 75-734

REPORT ON AN INVESTIGATION OF THE

HIGH SPEED HAZARDS OF STEEL BELTED

RADIAL TIRES ON POLICE PATROL CARS

Jared J. Col lard

Law Enforcement Standards Laboratory

Center for Consumer Product Technology

Institute for Applied Technology

National Bureau of Standards

Washington, D. C. 20234

June 1975

Final

Prepared for National Institute of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice

Law Enforcement Assistance Administration

Department of Justice

Washington, D, C. 20531

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE. Rogers C.B. Morton. Secretary

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS. Ernest Ambler. Acting Director

Preface

The National Institute of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice

(HILECJ), in January 1975, requested the Law Enforcement

Standards Laboratory (LESL) to investigate a report that a fatal accident by a trooper of the Alabama Highway Patrol was

caused by a failure of a steel belted radial ply tire at high

speed. This report contains the findings of the investigation,

the conclusions reached, and LESL's recommendations. No actual

tire testing was conducted by the National Eureau of Standards

during this investigation. The use of brand names in the

report in no way implies endorsement or indictment of any

particular product by the National Eureau of Standards.

i
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This report was prepared by the Law Enforcement Standards

Laboratory of the National Bureau of Standards under the

direction of Jared J. Collard, Acting Manager, Police Vehicles

Program, and Jacob J. Diamond, Chief of LESL. The cooperation

of the following organizations is gratefully acknowledged: the

Law Enforcement Group of the National Association of Fleet

Administrators, Inc., the International Association of Chiefs

of Police, the Safety Research Laboratory of the National

Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the many cooperating

police departments. The preparation of this report was

sponsored by the NILECJ Office of Research Programs, Geoffrey

M. Alprin, Director; Advanced Technology Division, Joseph T.

Kochanski , Director.

ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Preface

1.0 Introduction . . 2.0 The Investigation

3.0 Findings . . . . 4.0 Conclusions . . 5.0 Recommendations

6.0 Postscript . . . Table 1 Table 2

Table 3

Table 4

Attachment

Attachment

Attachment

Attachment

Attachmen

t

Tire Failures by Construction (Data

Provided by U.S. Department of Transportation)

Summary of Survey by national Association of

Fleet Administrators, Inc

Summary of Survey by International

Association of Chiefs of Police

Listing of Company-Certified High Speed

PoliceTires

Traffic Accident

Report of Taylor

Report

County

State of Alabama

State of Alabama

Florida Accident

California Highway Patrol Test Reports

State of Florida Traffic Accident Report

Tires Company-Certified for High Speed

Police Use

10

11

i i i

1.0 INTRODUCTION

In the fall of 1974, the Law Enforcement Standards

Laboratory (LESL), of the National Bureau of Standards (NBS),

began to receive unconfirmed reports of a fatal police accident

involving the alleged failure of a steel belted radial tire.

In a letter dated December 12, 1974, John M. Grow, Manager of

Transportation Services for the California Highway Patrol,

expressed his concern in the following manner:

"The recent loss of life in a southern state [happened]

because so many people were so uninformed that a vendor sold

and the state purchased steel belted radial tires for highway

patrol use. Every steel belted radial tested by us has come

unglued at about 105 mph to 115 mph. Why not describe what's a high speed tire? Why not test tires and publish the results to

law enforcement agencies? We would probably faint if we knew

how many policemen engaged in high SDeed pursuit or response

ride on Mickey Mouse tires every hour of every day."

LESL received a request on January 2, 1975, from the

National Institute of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice

(NILECJ) to conduct a quick-response investigation of the use

of steel belted radial ply (SBR) tires by police. On January

24, 1975, a preliminary memorandum report was submitted to

'ilLECJ. This document constitutes the final report of that

investigation.

2.0 THE INVESTIGATION

1. Contact was made with the Department of Public Safety,

State of Alabama. A copy of the report of a fatal police

accident was obtained and is provided as attachment A.

2. The State of Alabama provided LESL with a cony of a report

it had prepared concerning a second fatal police accident,

which had occurred in Taylor County, Florida (see attachment

B). LESL made telephone contact with the Sheriff's Department

of Taylor County to verify the facts.

3. Contact was made with the California Highway Patrol, which

has tested several brands of steel belted radial ply tires.

Copies of their test results are provided as attachment C.

1 .
4. Contact was made with the Florida Highway Patrol concerning

the permanent disability of one trooper. A copy of that

accident Investigation report 1s provided as attachment D.

5. Contact was made with the Office of Defects Investigation,

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NUTS A) , to

discuss elements of the Alabama fatality. The NHTSA Safety

Research Laboratory was contacted and supplied information

concerning the performance of various tires at high speed (see

tables la and lb).

6. A telephone survey of ten police agencies around the

country was conducted to determine the extent to which SBRs

have been, or are being used or tested, and any problems

experienced. This telephone survey was augmented by two

larger, more detailed surveys (see 7 and 8, below).

7. The chairman of the Safety Committee of the National

Association of Fleet Administrators agreed to survey the law

enforcement group for user data. The results of that survey

are summarized in table 2.

8. The Highway Safety Division of the International

Association of Chiefs of Police was queried for user

information and undertook a survey of the fifty State police

organizations. A summary of the results obtained is provided

in table 3

.

9. The four major automobile manufacturers were contacted to

ascertain company policy concerning the provision of SBRs as original or optional equipment (see Finding 2, below).

10. Several of the larger U.S. tire companies and two foreign

tire companies were contacted concerning the certification and

use of SBRs for law enforcement. Table 4 is a summary of

attachment E, which consists of letters or announcements from

several tire manufacturers listing the tires which the

manufacturers have tested and certified for high speed police

use. The names of the U.S. companies which manufacture high

speed police tires were obtained from the Tire Industry Safety

Council. This summary is provided as a convenience to the

reader and does not imply endorsement or certification of the

products by the National Bureau of Standards.
3.0 FINDINGS

1. The four U.S. tire industry representatives contacted by

LESL stated that their companies do not recommend their

standard grade SBRs for police pursuit vehicles, but that these

SBRs could be, and are being, used satisfactorily on police

cars where high speed is not a factor. The statement commonly

heard was that U.S. steel belted radial tires "are not

certified over 105 mph" (170 km/h)*. One U.S. company

reportedly is developing and testing an SBR for 125 mph (200

km/h) certification, however. Several companies are beginning

to produce and market Kevlar belted tires as an alternative to

SBRs. The companies report that Kevlar tires have been tested

and certified up to 125 mph (200 km/h). Several U.S. companies

have textile belted radial tires, as well as bias ply and bias

belted tires, which they will certify for high speed pursuit.

At least two foreign manufacturers have certified certain sizes

of SBRs for speeds of 125 mph (200 km/h), or more (see

attachment E )

2. The four U.S. automobile manufacturers are not in agreement

concerning the use of U.S. -made SBRs for police operations.

One company will supply domestic SBRs as optional equipment,

when so specified by the ordering police agency. Another

company will not supply SBRs unless the local dealer obtains a waiver of responsibility from the ordering agency. The other

two manufacturers will not put domestic SBRs on any patrol car

purchased with a "police package." (The package consists of

heavy duty suspension, brakes, cooling systems, etc.).

However, if a patrol car is ordered without the package, SBRs

may be provided, since there is no way to distinguish that car

from any standard vehicle during the production process.

3. In 1974, one State trooper was killed in Alabama and in

Florida, one Deputy Sheriff was killed and two State troopers

were injured, one of them permanently disabled, in accidents

caused by sudden failures of steel belted radial tires at

speeds estimated to be between 100-110 mph (160-175 km/h). The

Alabama Highway Patrol experienced approximately 40 other SBR

tire failures, which resulted in light-to-moderate damage to

some of the vehicles (see attachment A). In all, the surveys

reported that five patrol cars have been totally destroyed and

16 damaged, as a result of SBR failures (see tables 2 and 3).

*Standard International metric units appear in parentheses,

as a convenience to the reader. Kilometer per hour speeds

are rounded to the nearest zero or 5.

3.
4. High speed tire failures begin with small pieces of the

tread being thrown off with considerable force. This is known

as "chunking," and is usually made known to the experienced

driver by the noise of the chunks hitting the undercarriage or

the fender walls. Unless speed is gently, but immediately,

reduced, these chunks will become larger and larger, and the

entire tread and steel belts may peel off (see attachment C).

In many cases, enough integrity may be retained by the tire to

permit the vehicle to be brought to a gradual halt. In other

cases, however, the tire instantly loses air pressure. At high

speed, this blow-out may send the car out of control. All of

the police departments LESL contacted by telephone were aware

that standard-grade SBRs will not perform well at high speed,

and are therefore not suitable for most patrol situations.

Nevertheless, some departments are continuing to use SBRs and

others are planning to switch to them because of the tire's

superior treadwear, puncture resistance, and handling

characteri sties.

5. As can be seen from table la, most of the standard grade

SBR's tested on a high speed test wheel by the U.S. Department

of Transportation (DOT) failed at 100 or 105 mph (160-165

km/h). One SBR failure occurred at 80 mph (130 km/h); another

did not fail until 110 mph (175 km/h) had been reached. This

variation cannot be explained without additional testing. LESL

has not discovered any Government research on this problem as

i t speci f ical ly relates to police tires.

Table la also reveals that, in the DOT laboratory tests, the

SBRs, on the average, fared no better and no worse than the

bias ply, bias belted, and fabric radial tires. For each type

of construction, the average speed at which failure occurred

was approximately 100 mph (160 km/h). None of the tires tested

by DOT were rated by the manufacturers as police special or

high speed tires. Table lb lists the brands and sizes of tires

tested by DOT.

6. Radial tires have inherent sidewall weaknesses, regardless

of the speeds at which they are driven, and are vulnerable to

damage from curbs, stones, and roadway edges. For example, it

was reported by one police department that winter chains should

not be used on radial tires because of possible damage to the

sidewalls. Another police department reported that some car

washes are putting up signs warning of possible sidewall damage

from the guide rails.

4.
I

7. Tire failure on the road is affected by several important

variables, in addition to the variability in tire construction

illustrated by table la. These include road surface texture,

ambient temperature, age and condition of the tire, inflation

pressure, load on the tire, and length of running time at high

speed. The fundamental cause of tire failure is heat build-up

within the tire, primarily due to the rapid flexing of the tire

materials, such as the belts and cords. Of all the above

causes for heat build-up, improper tire inflation and high

speed are the most important.

4.0 CONCLUSIONS

1. Although some standard grade SBRs may be used safely and

effectively by some jurisdictions which do not patrol freeways,

or certain densely populated urban areas where extremely high

speeds cannot be driven, most standard grade steel belted

radial tires are not suitable for county or State police

operations, because of the high probability that speeds over 90

mph (145 km/h) may be achieved.

2. The improper use of SBRs is not widespread among the police.

As stated above, all of the departments contacted by LESL are

aware of the high speed limitations of standard grade SBRs.

Some of this knowledge has come from the tire and automobile

companies; in other cases, it has been gained by bitter

experience. Nevertheless, a sufficient number of police

departments are using SBRs, or are planning to use them, to

warrent Federal action.

3. More authoritative tire information is needed by police

agencies and purchasing departments, free of the biases or

advertising claims of tire manufacturers. This information

should be based upon actual testing of police tires, under a variety of operating conditions, and serve as a guideline for

the proper selection of tires for police use.

4. Table la reveals that the problem of high speed tire

failures is not limited to radial tires: bias and bias-belted

tires will also fail at about the same speeds. The cause of

the problem is the improper selection of tires for police

operations. High speed driving requires high speed tires, not

the standard grade tires commonly ordered by most police

departments

5.
5.0 RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Joint LEAA/NHTSA notices should be issued to all law

enforcement agencies, tire companies and dealers, and

automobile manufacturers and dealers, informing all parties of

the government's concern that standard grade steel belted

radial tires are being ordered, sold, and used in situations

which may be hazardous.

2. Police agencies should be advised to purchase and use only

those tires which the manufacturer has certified to have been

tested and approved for police use at speeds up to at least 125

mph (200 km/h). This written certification should be provided

to the ordering agency upon delivery of either replacement

tires or patrol cars with SBR's as original equipment.

3. Tire companies and their dealers should be cautioned against

selling to the police (Federal, State, county or local) any

tire that has not passed the company's own high speed

certification tests. The test procedures, results, and

certifications should be made a standard part of a tire

company's bid package.

4. All automobile manufacturers should be urged, or required,

to adopt a uniform policy concerning the provision of high

speed tires on new police vehicles.

6.0 POSTSCRIPT

This report has dealt with the problems encounted by police

using standard grade steel belted radial tires at high speeds.

This should not be construed as an indictment of the use of

SBR's by the general public, as long as the posted speed limits

are observed and the tires receive reasonable care and

maintenance. Any tire--bias, bias belted, or radial--w1ll fall

when it is abused, which includes driving at speeds beyond the

tire's design maximum. Undoubtedly, failures of non-radial

tires have also occurred over the years and have caused police

injuries and fatalities. While it is impossible to eliminate

the occurrence of tire failures, it is possible to reduce them

through the use of better performance specifications for tire

procurement, as well as improved tire safety and maintenance

programs

.

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Tire Failures by Construction

Tire Brands Tested by the U.S. Department of Transportation

Bias P ly

Dunlop Gold Cup, G78-14

Firestone 500, G75-15

Firestone Delux Champion, F78-14

Goodrich Custom, G78-14

Goodyear Power Cushion 78, G78-14

Kelly Springfield 78, G78-14

Bias Belted

Dunlop Qualifier G/T, G70-14

Firestone 500 steel belted, F78-14

Firestone Sup-R-Belt, H78-15

General Jumbo 700, F70-14

Goodrich Silvertown, G70-14

Goodyear Custom Power Cushion, H73-14

Goodyear Custom W.T., G70-14

Kelly Springfield Super Charger, G70-14

Fabric Radial

Dunlop SP41, 205R14

General Jet RADAN , 205R14

Goodrich 990, FR70-14

Steel Radial

Firestone V-l, GR70-14

Gislavd Veloche 116, 175SR14

Goodrich Lifesaver, GR70-14

Goodyear Custom Steel Guard, GR73-15

riichelin, 205-14

Pirelli Cinturato CN75, 205-14

Sears, 205-14
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State of Alabama

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36102

August 8, 19 7 4

Mr. Carlos Garza

Office of Standards Enforcement

National Highway Traffic Administration

Department of Transportation

#2100 Second Street, S. W.

Washington, D. C. #20590

Dear Mr. Garza:

The Alabama Department of Public Safety has run a survey of the

Firestone tires which the troopers have been using for the past sevftMll months and the following facts are noted. There was a total of

l^^Firestone tires HR 70 x 15 issued throughout the state with a total of 20 failures. The serial numb er of these failures wa s V C U 7 VHU303 with a total of 14 failures. One of these involved an accideai in which one of our troopers was killed. The other HR 70s that

ffAed were two (2) with a serial number VCU 7 VHU 293.

The other tire that we've had a good many failures with was the

F ire stone HR 78. The serial number VDVY FNJ 443 series had nine (9) fAres, the VDVY FNJ 373 had five (5) failures, the VDVY FNJ 313

hj^ive (5) failures, VDUY FNR 353 (2) failures, VDVY FNR 333 , two

(2) failures and several other serial numbers with one failure.

¥What we consider failures are blowouts, bubbles in tires, blisa n d separations.

We are sending the two testing laboratories tires with VCU YHU

303, HR 70, VDVY FNJ 373, HR 78, VDVY FNJ 443, HR 78, VDVY FNG 313, HR

78 and VBU 9 XMV 053, JR 70 numbers. These tires should be shipped to

the testing laboratories the latter part of this week.

We hope to have some results from the testing laboratories in the

next few weeks.

c

I trust this is the information you needed. If I can be of further

assistance, please give us a call.

Sincerely yours,

WJS/kh

W. J. Smith, Lieutenant

Planning and Research Unit
;'|
Departnent Vehicle j /hj*^ /j -r\i>'^

ALABAMA UNIFORM TRAFFIC ACCIDENT

7

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ED 03.;

Ifl FICUJ/MY OR

_.. EOi.lE Or ROAJV. - ON STREET. ROA.-J, OR hIGMWA* I- 65

• BETWEEN Conecuh Co. rf 22

AND Evergreen City' Limit

!! POST NUMBER 9,9.7,0

STREET OS ROAD

CODE

STREET OR ROAO

CODE CONTROLLED ACCESS HWV MAIN ROAD 3 - MAIN ROAD AT 4 - ENTRANCE H LOCATION (C'fde Op»<: 2 - FRONTAGE RD. INTERCHANGE 5 -• EXIT RAMP

STREET OR R.F 0 CITY 4 STATE Julian D. Stuckey P. Q; Box 190$_Bothsm, Al. 36301

.'ATE OF cilRl H # P9 58 M W

Biiijc^-

STATE TYPE:O-UT0

2 - °5G. TRUCK

3 -MOTORCYCLE 5 - LEARNER LICENSE RSSTRICTiONlSI

4 - OTHER TRUCK 6 - NONE i'iOne

OCCUPATION _ y * r DRIVERS TSlEPH State Troopeffiff 792-217Li

DRIVER

SOBRIETY:

DRINKING: YES

DRUGS: YES UNKNOWN

UNKNOWN

DRIVER CONDITION iC? fi0 apparent defects 3 -fatigued 5- unknown

ICircleG.nl 2 - APPARENTLY ASLEEP 4 — ILL 6 - PHYSICAL DEFECTS

li one

REFUSED TEST 22, 71

;cuvsrAMC£tsi 37

YEAI 7h

MAKE Ford 1; D FlilT53ClIa999

INSPECTION l -PORRENT cp- NONE CERTIFICATE: 2 -expired 4 - unknown

licetsVSAR 7h

OWNER 1 'iAVS S'caoe of Ala. Dept. Public Safety P.O. Box l5ll Montgomery, Al. 36102 1 55 M^ilOO-110 m TYPE:

{Circle Onei LUU

i— I

AUTO

02 - PEDALCYCL!

03 - ST A /yAGON

04 - PANEL PICKUP

05 - TR TRACTOR

Ob - OTHER TRUCK

07 - COMM BUS

08 - SCHOOL BUS

09 - OTHER SOS

10- M CYCLE SAFETY EQUIP. USED

11 - FARM MACH.

12 - OTHER SPECIAL USE: at NONE

TAXI

03 - MILITARY

OA - AM3ULAMC

Ob - FARM USE

POLICE

07 - WRECKER 09 - DRIVER TRAINING

38 - FIRE FIGHTING 10 -GOV'T 1 I - ?T>-=J

CIRCLE IN1TIA

POINT OF

L IMPACT

ATT ACH MEN T:

(Circle Orel MOBILE HOME 4 - uTi'-ITY TRAILER 6 - TRAILER WITH BOAT 3 - TOWED MOTOR VEH.

Pi. 1GLEUM TANKEF

- OTHER DEFECTS: i-none 3 lights

!Ci.--le One or Mere! 2-BFAKE3 4 - HORN

5 - STEERING

6 WIPERS DA.YAGE SEVERiTV.

I -SLIGHT 2 -MODERATE

VEHICLE TOWED BY WHOM . eT 'ac B Motors

©J

AREAISI DAMAGED 'Use Cod«. I APPROXIMATE COST |,Qr>n nr. L, 2, 3-

, !;, 5, 6, 7, 8,9^^ s-^g^LL7 - TURN SIGNALS 9 - NOT KNO"""

T IRES 0- OTHER

OEFECT Ml

CODES

Con:nbur.i<j To Acc.

TO WHERE State Trooper Office

ivergreen, ALL «>

VEHICLES TO VSO AWAY. C^sJ NO

TOTAL OCCUPANTS

THIS UNIT. 1

WIS W ~'S&

fCl UNDERCARRIAGE

ER OR PEDESTRIAN S NAME STREET OR R.F.D. CITY 3. STA1 £ C ATE O - BIR TH

DRIVER Li '.E'iSE NL'H*clER STATE Type T-AOTC 3 MOTORCYCLE S - LEARNER

2 - PEG. TRUCK 4 •• OTHER TRUCK 6 NONE

LICENSE RESTRICTIONS! ' . Coif|:l,e-J>Yi YES NO

OCCUPATION "^j^JiVE^OR^PEO S r-HCNE NO.

roifviEniTI(VJ :

1 - NO APPARENT DETECTS 3 - FATIGUED 5 - UNKNOWN

Vc r-^ oi ' 2 - APPARENTLY ASLEEP 4 - ILL 6 PHYSICAL C(£5»T 1

DRIVER OR °=0. ORINKINC: S0BR!ETv : drugs.

TYPE TEST GIVEN TEST RE3ULTE

POS NEG. INSPECTION 1- CURRENT CERTIFICATE: 2 - expired

CIRCJ.'.'STANCS,.;:

L'CENSE FA'S NUMBER

1 CM h

OWNER S NAN STREET OR R r i SPEED LIMIT I ESTi-VATEO SPEEO

TYPE

Circle 02 " One

AoTO 04 - PANc'L PICKUP 07 - OOV"S,aL;a PEDALCYCLE C5 - TR. TRACTOR 03. - SCHOOL S'JS STA.WAGON C6 - OTHER TRUCK 09 - OTHER BLr'S^"^

^^rfrtTcCvt SAFETY EQUIP. USED: YES NO ^*TT^"F>SyMACH,

12 - OTHER^*-^ "- >

- CIRCLE POINT Or t INITIAL IMPACT

SPECIAL USE. 01 - NONE 03 -MILITARY 05 - FARM USE ^^>K/,'RECKER

02-TA». OA -AMBULANCE 06 - POLICE^""'^CS FIR? FliSHT

09 - DRIVER TRAINING

ING 10 GOV'T 11 - OTHER EN ,€>•. 1 rjtTTACHM'ENT 1 - NO'.c 3 - SSVl| TrlA:L?j3^' 5 - FASM TRAILER ,' .. CAMPER TRAILER S - PETRoT^S^TA^KER

\

-.01 KNOWN | ;.; j i)£FKT _ w^>>^ecM3-tc. cc." ! tH | ;i |
. SEATING

" PgrtjWWfl

SEAT BELTS

LAP HILT ONLY LAP & SHOULDER 6aL f N • Nm, IrnuM 8 - Nei UmJ

I- 9 Fwlmwd a - Lay Ball Only Uud g = um m = is* s<Ht» g»a

© = Nut a«peiM»l t, = NM RfBoniS

EJECTED

v ->«

r Fai'iilly N = 'Is

A - V. :ibtf signs dl ifi|tify, at blaoding wgund ar dmeniKl mfnilwr, ai Hm) io tw ctrriad Irom IMMi

B - Othar JiMblo injury, jabruiMM, abrasion.,

IWSlllPa, limulflS., We. § = No '.nin mjuFV tsu! esmnljint of Wjg

flail an D. Stuckey P. 0. Box 190$ Dotnan, Al. 36301

GonarA Co. ,-ioapxtal -Evergreen .-imoulanse up.

36

FIRST AID 3Y

A = Aict), Aimmt

•> Other

= Mnna,

' V«S: |S*»f T £<mi | e.as- NB, inf »Wts lion Aid dy

See Diagram on Page # 2

describe what happened isefeb to vshicles by number) Vehicle ,^'1 was travelirg South on I- 6p at a high rate

of 3peed.( Approximately 100 to 110 'lies Par Hour ) The right rear tire on vehicle $ 1

blew out. Vehicle f? 1 traveled 600 feet on the pavement after the tire blew out leaving

rubber on the pavement from the ruptured tire* At this point the driver lost control and

skidded into the grass median. Vehicle ,/ 1 cane to rest up side down, after skidding and

overturning for 3C0 feat. The vehicle overturned two and one half times.

| LIGHT V/ FATHER ! LOCALE

£T)- DAYl.lCrtT

2 - DAWN

3 -OUSX

* - DARKNESS

5 - DARKNESS. RO. LIGHTED r

CLEAR

2 - CLOUDY

3 - SAINING

4 - FOG

5 - SNOWING

SLEETING

6 - HAILING

Circj. Oner OPEN COUNTRY

2 - RESIDENTIAL

3 - 5HCCG OR BUSINESS

4 - VFG. or I'.CUSTRIAL

5 - SCHOOL or PlAY'D

6 - OTHER

DEFECTS

1 - SHOULDERS LC«V

2 - SKOULOSRS HIGH

3 - HOLES, SUMPS ETC.

4 - LOOSE MATERIAL ON

SURFACES

5 - ROAD UNDER CONST.

5 - NOME

7 - OTWER

CONSTRUCTION) CONDITION

Circla Cna for Zuch V'th'ti.) i

1 2

1 1 - ASPHALT (p 2 - CONCRETE

3 3 - BRICK

4 4 - DIRT

5 5 - OTHER

jle C. d For iijch Van,

2

I - DRY

2 2 - WET

3 3 - SNOWY. ICY

4 4 - MUDDY

5 5 - HAZARDOUS

MATERIAL

I CHARACTER

S'Cir-:»C-* -• «**:/•, TRAFFIC CONTROL I ROADWAY LANE'S I ROADWAY DIVIDED BY:

J^P 2 - C;-3uiM - Clown Grace

3 3 -• Finjljjh! - ','p GrerV

4 4 - StMkjrl - Hillcrjit 5 5 - Cu.-.e - ' IVJl 6 6 — Ci-rvB - Oo*n Gratia

7 7 - ^ur-/-* - tin nr-.ro. 6

1 -KTur'SlGN

2 - ST DP & GO SIGNAL

3 - YIELD SIGN

4 - OFFICER OR FLAGMAN

5 - RR CROSSING GATES

S - hR FLASHING LIGHTS

7 - NONE

q . 'i^ea

1 1 - jlii LAN:

2 2 - T/rO LANHS

3 3 - THREE LA'.ES

4 - FOUR LANES T 5 - FIVE LANES

6 6 - SIX LA.«ESCR MORE

7 7 - UNPA'/ED A.-y W.drn)

I COM»T

1 1 - CONCRETE

2 2 - ROUGH SURFACE ® 3 - EARTH

4 4 - PAINTED MEDIAN 5ARRI2R

5 5 - CONCRETE

6 r, .. METAL C'.'AP.CRAIL

I 7 ...

VISION 03SCURED

'.Circi* "o. Far S wn Vfh.J

CiJ 07

C8

09

10

II

• NOT OBSCURED

• BAIN, SNOW, ICE, ETC. ON WINDSHIELD

03 - T1PES. CROPS. I3USHSS.

IM - BUILO'NGISI

06 - WCNrlOARD

07 - HILLCREST

C3 - PAriKED VEHICLElS)

C9 - VO'/ING VEHICLElS)

10 - BUNDED BY HEADLIGHTS

11 - BUNDED 3Y ••1INUGHT

<:. :;-<••

t/5 I

.Ward, J., C.Fo:/lar 1 V/.y.;-a.r:dand" 3"37,125,2u3 "a"s"T

MY est KNOMSDOI, 0»IMOM ANO aBLIBP COVIti-.a r-lfc«IO«.NT,»UTNO

rone CONTRiaUTINU C.KCUMSTANCft(S) i None

NAV: OF PjRSv^N CHARGED CONTRIBUTING ClriCUMiTAl^CEIi Kunt AftaSil ndi'ifi£s| pjliCS SimiviiO a/juiancs ahh CTc

. 1 : ^ (W 1

: 5i_^ 1 o5 d

namTdTTi'. v ii >Ti ci a iTTu7> . c f r

' '"basu's :;''JvlW

1 ^

J. Tc Smiley 90U

3 !

'I -"liSTORIOl NAMe CF PHil OuSa'.'WsA 25 frS ^uto h Adams

3 T

SAtiue NUMHRiai POLICE AGSNHY

ISMAOS AS rOTHS FACTUAL AGCUSACY TH?H10e b)UT NO WAH'«ANr OS CATS: 06 | 29 |7a

10 - Mo Impr ipnr D'WIift 19 W.onqSidaTl Road

11 - VlalrtTlon* Unknown 27 - Kuiiny Cn ii H 12 - Imp, Bni:l«if!5 2b PfiHing o.i Curv.

13 ° Chdnginrj Lenn linp. '.D - OMar linjarg^w Parslny 1* « Par^lnq Impreeoflv 30 Turning Umawniliy

19 - Fillum ib Dim Ligha .11 =- Driving irt £ j'«tv Zon.

i a - Llghu Irnnropur 32 - Put Sijd S«hu«l Bui

17 - Veh Unuli Cord. 3.1 - IracKntion It - Driving In Wrong Larw 34 Othw Muvinj '/lot. 19 • Mo Shi, Imp. Sly. r>9 •!«<!. Wl. Hi, LLWb.

10 - Fallawlf.ijTtiO CloMly 38 " P?ds«tl«n Bnjnk

11 - Dylgcl HrakM .17 - f julfy tiiulfefiiwil n - EMeHMinrj StwH Limit 3fl - VmI'^u-j V ol ii,.

n - £xrid<j<4lrty Sail Spe«d

- 0 ,r^mH iign S'q. 36 -Mm.SpMO Lm H 411 » Placing On Hwv.

26 = Nb Right al Wvf 41 = Drl». und«r ml.
2.30 miles South to Evergreen

llorth

I- 65

Paved Shoulder

Right rear tire blew cut here^

Paved Shoulder

Grass Median

Paved Shoulder

Paved Shoulder

Location Interstate if 6$

2»30 miles South to Evergreen in

Conecuh County

rt.n A.M. I

Signatureof fieportipg Officer(s) Badge

1 • ho @ No.

90U

Reporting Police Agency

Alabana State Troooers

DATE

VfontF 06

TJaT

27

Year 7k



A I I ALHKLN I B

DEPARTMENT OF PU3LIC SAFETY

MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA

State of A L ABAM A

36)02

ASSISTANT DI = ECTO*

M E K 0 R A N D U M

From :

To : Staff

Lieutenant Harold Hammond N

Sub: Tire Failure-Perry County, Florida Sheriff's Office

As a result of a news article found in the August S, 197 4 issue

of the Perry 1,'ews-Herald reporting the death of Taylor County

Deputy Sheriff Victor J. MacDonald on Sunday August 4, 1974,

Sheriff Maurice Linton was contacted for further details (A.rea

Code 904, 584-4225)

According to reports, Deputy MacDonald was out of his patrol vehicle at a service station when a speeding car went by on US-19

The deputy ran to his patrol car and pursued the car at speeds

in excess of 100 MPH. The road was wet during the pursuit but

no rain was falling at the time. Sheriff Linton reported that

the tread on the right rear tire separated from the body of the

tire and "rolled into a ball". The tire was a Goodyear steelguard radial and had been mounted on the patrol car on July 26,

1974. The sheriff estimated that the tire had less than 2,000

miles on it at the time of the failure. The sheriff said a combination rollbar and shield kept the car's top up even though the

car overturned several times. He was of the opinion that the

deputy would have lived if he had fastened his sea tie

t and remained in the car. He stated the ' department planned no action

against Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company bu~ he believed the

deputy's family planned legal proceedings

An insurance ad j us tor had attempted to secure the tire which failed

for the purpose of returning it to Goodyear for tests. Instead the

sheriff has released the tire to the Florida Highway Patrol wi th the

unders tending that they permit an independent laboratory to ins pec t it

and issue a report.

The sheriff was unable to advise how many Goodyear tires were in service on the wrecked vehicle and also he stated his department had no

established regulation governing tire air pressure. The amount of

air pressure required is determined by the driver of the vehicle.

HJH/ggb

ATTACHMENT B-l

DEATH CAP. ...Pictured ahnve is the car in w h i c h Taylor County Deputy Sheriff "Skip" ^acPonald

went to his death Sunday ninht after the car

blew a tire as Mac n onald pursued a sneezer on Ijs

1° South.

Taylor County Deputy

Sheriff Victor J. "Skip"

MacDonald died instantlv

of head injuries received

Sunday evening when his

patrol car overturned

after blow inn a tire as the deputy pursued a soeedino motorist at

more than 100 miles per

hour on US 1° south of

Salem.

Wi t ne s s e s said Ma c

Donald was at a service

station in the area when

the speed inn vehicle v/ent

by and that he hurried to

his parked cruiser to aive

chase.

The Howo ut was caused,

it was reported, by seperation of the t r e a

H of a r^-ir

tire. Sheriff Maurice L a n t n n said 'Ion d ay that the tire in

question had h e e n out on the

car only about two weeks before the acci Hpn t and that he

w a s unable to u n

A- r> r s t a n

A its

failure.

M acn onald's car turned over

several tines it was reported

The officer died instantly o

* 'massive ho^H i n i u r i e s it wa

reported.

ATTACHMENT C

MICHSLIN ROADABILITY TEST

On April 3, 1968, handling tests were conducted with two 1966

Dodge CLass A vehicles equipped with the Michelin Radial Tires.

One vehicle had zero camber; the other negative. The testing

location consisted of turns of varying radii and corresponding

speeds

Testing began with air pressures of 36 p.s.i. At approximately

20 miles of testing, tread chunking at the outer edges of the

front tires appeared. With both camber settings, there was an

extreme understeer characteristic until cornering forces became

such to cause the tire to roll upon the sidewall. At this point,

extreme overs teer took place.

Air pressures were reduced to manufacturers recommendation of 27

p.s.i. and testing duplicated. Handling was the same as with the

higher pressures except that the lag between understeer and oversteer was shorter.

With both air pressures at speeds of 90 to 100 m.p.h., the tires

caused a lateral oscillating effect.

Tire spin on acceleration in tight turns was minimal indicating

good rectilinear cohesion.

At the conclusion of testing, an inspection of the tires indicate

excessive tire tread "chunking" and sidewall wear.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

The model of tire used in these 1968 tests are no longer in

production, according to the Michelin Corp. Current model

Michelin standard grade, steel belted radial tires were

included in the DOT tests summarized in Table la.

ATTACHMENT C-2

Training Division October 9, 197"?

31. 2 673 . A141R

FIRESTO^F RADIAL

TTRFS

Academy

As instructed, the Academy has completed testina of Firestone

steel radial tires.

The tires, two sets of IIR 73-15 Steel Belt "adial 500' s and

one set of HR 70-15 Steel Belt Radial VI ' s , have been returned

to Motor Transport Section.

All testing was conducted on the Academy hiah spec"* course in

the presence of Mr. F. T 7. Weller, Firestone m ire and Rubber

Company. Prior to testina, each set of tires war; rlriven a minimum of 5 0 break in miles at normal hiqhwav speeds.

The results of our tests are as follows:

Firestone Steel Radial 500-HR 78-15

Testing was conducted on September 26, 1973. The tire is 4 ply (2 polyester - 2 steel) with 2 ply polyester side walls.

Tire pressures were at factorv specification - 32 p.s.i.

The handling characteristics of the tires were erratic with

predominant understeer. This is typical with radial tires

durina hard cornering. Chunkina occured at the outer

shoulder of the riaht front tire after 14 miles of testina.

Firestone Steel Racial ^-1-HR 70-15

Testing was conducted on October 1 , 197 3. T'he tire is 7 ply

(6 rayon - 1 steel) with 2 ply ravon side walls. ^ire pressures

were at factorv specification - 32 p.s.i.

The handlina characteristics were tvpically erratic with radial

tires although improving with wear. The tires were testrd for

4 0 miles without the presence of abnormal wear or failure.

Testing was terminated with the appearance of a chunking about

the size of a quarter on the right front tire. This was

probably caused by a stone cut, but could be a separation at

the tire snlice point. The tire is far superior to other

radial tires tested by our staff to date.
Traininq Division

Paqe 2

October 9, 1Q73

F.JxeitpjTe__SU_e1|_ Radial 500-HR J^JS

Testing was conducted on October 4, 1973. The tire is

identical to the steel radial 500 tested on September 25, 1"73.

Tire pressure was increased to 36 p.s.i. for this test.

Handling characteristics were the same as previous tests. Chunking appeared after 10 miles.

Attached are photographs taken of the tires after testinn.

H. 0. FARGO, Captain

Commander

Enclosure


ATTACHMENT C-3

Academy

Skill Development Unit

July 24, 1973

31.6176. A2820

PIRELLI CINTITRATO CT

I 75

RADIAL TIRF TEST

On July 17 and 19, 1973, the E.V.O.C. staff conducted a series

of tests designed to evaluate the handlina characteristics and

durability of the Pirelli Cinturato CIT 75 radial tire. ^he

tire is a 4 ply tread, 2 rayon, 2 steel, with 2 ply, rayon

sidewall

.

The tires used in the evaluation were mounted on a 1972

Dodge Polara, (B8655) assigned to the Academy E.V.O.C. unit

as a high speed training vehicle. The tires were mounted by

Jack's Shell and the front end aligned by Swift Dodge to

specifications requested by the Bruces Tire Company.

After 6o miles of street drivina the tires were subjected to

high speed testing on the E.V.O.C. course. Twelve laps were

completed counterclockwise. The first 5 laps were at moderate

speeds with the last 7 laps at high speeds. At the completion

Of the 12th lap (18 miles) the right front tire was warped to

the point of being unusable. The right front tire was replaced

and testing continued. At the end of 13-1/2 laps clockwise

the entire tread peeled off the casina of the left front tire.

This occured as the vehicle entered a constant radius turn to

the right at a speed of 100 mph. The tire failure caused the

vehicle to leave the roadway at this point. Total mileage

on the 5 tires was 120 miles.

The tires were inflated to 36 p.s.i. as specified bv Bruces

Tire Company. The handling characteristics was completely

unsuitable for enforcement driving purposes. If moderate

to hard accelleration was attempted while hard cornering,

excessive understeer occured. If no accelleration was

attempted an exaggerated overs teer was present.

Although one tire warped and another separated, it was noted

that no chunking of the outer tread was present, as has been

the case with some previous radial tires tested.
Academy

Page 2

July 24, 1973

The consensus of the two test drivers 1s that the Pirelli

Cinturato CM 75 radial tire 1s unpredictable nerfornancewi se

and lacks the durability to be effective on enforcement

vehi cl es

.

J. R . McOANIEL, I.D. #6176

State Traffic Officer


ATTACHMENT D-l

RALPH DAVIS

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

NEIL KIRKMAN BLOC-.

Department Of

State Jiorida

HIGHWAY' SAFETY AND MOTOR VEHICLES

TALLAHASSEE 32304 FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL

P. 0. Box 332

Lake City, Florida

28 September 1973

COL. REID CLIFTON, DIRECTOR

DIVISION OF FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL

NEIL KIRKMAN BLDG. JOHN D . CALVIN, DIRECTOR

DIVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLES COLLINS BLDG. _ 107 W. GAINES ST.

. CLAY W. KEITH, director

DIVISION OF DRIVER LICENSES

NEIL KIRKMAN BLDG. AUDRY CARTER, JR., director

DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

NEIL KIRKMAN BLDG.

SUBJECT: Accident Involving Trooper T. L. Sullivan - FHP-1047 - 9/24/73

TO: Colonel J. E. Beach, Director

ATTENTION: Major W. R. Kaufman

Please find attached complete investigation

by Sergeant T. A. Pace on an accident involving Trooper

T. L. Sullivan while operating FHP-10h7.

Trooper Sullivan was responding to a call to

assist Trooper R. W. Aderholt who had received a "hit" on

an automobile from NCIC and this car was occupied by five

runaways. Trooper Sullivan was proceeding south on SR-93

at approximately 100 MPH when his left rear tire, Firestone

Steel Belted Radial HR-70 completely separated froirirthe.

" tTread but did not "lose all' 1'ts air, causing Trooper Sullivan

to^lose"c6ntrol . "He" "sTcldde^^s"fde~ways through the median

strip, across two northbound lanes, at the emergency strip

started turning over and turned over four times , coming to

rest upon a fence against a small tree on his side, driver's

side down. Trooper Sullivan has a broken right leg and is

now confined to the Alachua General Hospital and in all

probability will be off about three months.

I personally went to the scene before Trooper

Sullivan was placed in the ambulance and observed all the

evidence at the scene and it is my opinion that the entire

cause of the accident was the Firestone tire separating at

high speed.

FHP-10^7 was a total loss and attached find

three bids for salvage and I recommend we accept Mott

Chrysler Plymouth, Inc. Live Oak, Florida, bid for &300.00

for this wrecked vehicle.

We have not received a written statement from

Trooper Sullivan because of his injury but will get one
!8 Stpttmbtr 1973 Pa.1©

Accident Involving Trooper T. L. Sullivan - FHP-1047 - 9/24/73

when he is able and a homicide report will follow.

As Trooper Sullivan was enroute to assist

another trooper in the performance of his duties, I do

not feel he was negligent and recommend no disciplinary

action whatsoever.

T. C. Hodges, Captain

Commander - Troop B

TCH/fg

Ends

.
ATTACHMENT D-2

RALPH DAVIS

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

NEIL KIRKMAN BLOC

State J(orida

Department Of

HIGHWAY SAFETY AND MOTOR VEHICLES

TALLAHASSEE 32304 FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL

P.O. Box 332

Lake City, Florida

25 September 1973

COL. REID CLIFTON, DtREd

DIVISION OF FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL

NEIL KIRKMAN SLOG. JOHN D. CALVIN, DIRECTOR

DIVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLES

COLLINS BLDG. 107 W.GAINES ST. CLAY W. KEITH, director

DIVISION OF DRIVER LICENSES

NEIL KIRKMAN BLDG. AUDRY CARTER, JR., director

DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

NEIL KIRKMAN BLDG.

Accident involving FHP # 1047

Trooper T. L. Sullivan, ID # 586

Captain T. C. Hodges

Lieutenant J. E. Love

On Monday, 9/24/73, at approximately 7:45 A.M.,

I was advised that Trooper T. L. Sullivan had been involved

in an automobile accident. Upon arriving on the scene and

completeing an investigation of the accident, I found the following had occurred.

Trooper R. W. Aderholt requested the FHP Station

to check for wanted on a Georgia tag, LAR715. The Station

advised Trooper Aderholt the car was wanted and should be occupied by several runaways.

Trooper Sullivan, upon hearing this radio transmission, advised the Station that he was enroute to assist

Trooper Aderholt. Trooper Sullivan was proceeding south on

SR # 93 (1-75) at a high rate of speed when the left rear tire

on FHP 1047 completely separated, causing Trooper Sullivan to

lose control of his vehicle. Trooper Sullivan skidded across

the median and north bound lanes of SR # 93, before turning

over four times.

My investigation revealed that while speed was a factor, the major cause of this accident was a defective tire.

Due to Trooper Sullivan responding to a^call for

assistance from Trooper Aderholt, I do not feel he wa| negligent in any way.

T. A. Pace, Sergeant

Troop B - Lake City

SUBJECT:

TO:

VIA:

TAP /da

ATTACMMhN I D-3

FLORIDA TRAFFIC ACCIDENT REPORT MAIL TO: ACCIDENT RECORDS ..'M AU, DEPT. OF HIGHWAY SAFETY & MOTOR VEHu.cS, TALLAHASSEE, FLA. 32304

g

<uO_i

UJ

9/2'V73

Columbia

Mond iy

T IV s I DAY 7«^5 A,

if .•. \\ »as viiTji- F . ;.r. ,.v.;.r,;., »r«

/ L

i I 'li'.-J >i: '' •i. '*-c E3 ! Tj»,\

P. AD l 't V.HICH ACTOF.VI on U Q<a

OCCURRED. ^ x " / J

is N S E -V

_U se Sta le or Conn ty Read Nn ibe r 01 Name

I I till Hamp

. . f~~] /'tl'cin. . /(.

0,Jnk* City

lufi ' i i (nil 'i I

"J fn'fm n, . i/ l,u ^""^ mrirvri'Miiii

IF NOT

None

Highway Nirber c Na me ol Intersecting Street

AT INTER- 2 Q ftl'Wrl

feci d^DD sii // 10 2?180-19,^7^

SIC T iPN _.___* ..

' CS N S E W Sliow neaicsl rmlcposi, intei sec t i ng sl»«*ct oi highway, bridge, RR ctossinf;, underpass oi curve

"is engt'iEE Sing study needed if so nai No Pf) NOTV=ITE IN SPACE ABOVE

TYPE MOTOR

VEHICLE ACCIDENT

0 V t K 1 JkWNG ^

T ARntD vv

OTHER NONCOLLISUN

RAILWAY TRAIN

PEDESTRIAN

PEDAt CYCLIST

l.'.V III TRANSPORT

A', IV At

!,'.V ON OTHER ROAOAAY

FIXED CDJECT OTHER OBJECT

HIT AND RUN

'.ON CONTACT

TOTAL

NO. VEH.

IN VOLVED

YEAR 1973.'Ar,E Dod geTYPE (Sedan. True*. Bus. elc.i b Dr. Seda

VLrllCLE LICENSE PLATE NO. FHP-lO/i-7STATE Fla

.

YEAR 1973

VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NO. DK/+1U3F21'J-919

fceaof

Vehicle Damage 15

Damage

Scale

D.lfl.lgC Seventy

AVT-IIN.T A-pi?«:- ate 350o 0 ooSafety Equip- ment

VEHICLE REMOVED BY Doyle s Paint & Body

NAVE OF INSURANCE liability Only I Pacific Indemnity

FOLICY NO. LAC9808-92-99

Owner

Driver

Owner's Request

1 Other (Explain]

I I Rotation List

OWNER rPrml 01 type FULL nanel ADDRESS I Nunber and stieell CITY and STATE Flor ida Highway Patrol Nell Kjrkman Bldg. , Tallahassee, Florida

DRIVER 1 E.> icily as on driver's license 1 ADDRESS I Numbei and sliecll CITY and STATE

OS^TJCfL,

Irooner

Driver's License Type Op

u

X

OCCUPANTS

Front center None

Name

DRIVER'S LICENSE NUVDER S^-15812^1 3^722

ADDRESS • Number and Slreel

STAlE Fla.

DATE (Month, Day. Yearl

BIRTH 9/Zk/kl

City and Slate AGE

RACE w

RACE

SEX M

SEX

Salely E 1

Salely E

Eject 0

Eject.

Injury 2

Injury

ACE KAC ,,iu,,

1

Front right AGE RACE

Rear left AGE RACE

SEX

Iex"

Safety E Eiecl. Injury

Rear center AGE RACE SEX

Safely E

Safety E

E|ect. Injury

Eject. Injury

Ren right YEAR

Area of Vehicle Da-sage

MAKE TYPE (Sedan, Truck, Bus. etc.) VEHICLE LICENSE PLATE NO STATE YEAR VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NO.

Damage

Scale DamageSeventy NAVE OF INSURANCE ( Liability Onlyl

AMOUNT (ApproKirralel Salely Equip- ment

VEHICLE REMOVED 8Y

POLICY NO. z<

I—

IO

UJQ

UJa.o

CN

UJ

-JU

XUJ>

Ov.nct

Driver }

j I Owner's Request

I I Olher (E<plain)

Rotation List

OViNER (Print or type FULL name) ADDRESS iNumbei and street

)

CITY and STATE

DRIVER lEiaclly as on drivers license) ADDRESS (Numbei and slreell CITY and STATE

OCCUPATION Driver's License Type

DRIVER'S LICENSE NUMBER STATE. DATE (Monlh. Oay. Yean OF

BIRTH

RACE SEX Salely E Eiect Injury

OCCUPANTS

Front center

Name ADDRESS - (Numbei and Street

)

City and Slate AGE RACE SEX Salety E Eiect. Injury

AGE RACE SEX Salety E Eiect. Ii'iuiy

Fionl right AGE RACE SEX Salely E Eject.

Rear lell AGE RACE SEX

Rear centei

Salely E Eject

Ini'jry

li|-jly

AGE RACE SEX Salety E Eiect l.!|Liy

R, 'i ng1-!

I'h.ii I sly tAVAuLU uI'ti Cun venules AV.xNI fence

INVfSTl&AlUH - N.nc and rank iSignaluie 50.00

Sergeant

Ulri'i! R • N.iine ADOhISS tin till and Street F}<\. Dent. Qf_Tr/ans^oTt'itloiu

I D. NO.

CITY anJ SIATE

nil- i» ....I.

BAtifirNu. S-97 121

DEPART VLN1 fmp

LJr.H.P. |_J C.P.D.

so. Olhei

OF REPORT 9/2/1/;
SH if 93 Northbound

^2 h

Fence

INOIGAIt', p.'I'll KITH AfiH #

SR )» 93 Southbound

T

1

Mini or IMPACt

vyij. li'" - j"

?

-

FiWl

Right lionl Q Ull lltidl JSfl Right side Led side Rear H» «ni

Left reat

si lihAf IIAfi [.MU - iKe'ir li verities !:y nu.st.cri Vehicle # 1 traveling s^uth on Sfi j£ 93 at a high rate of s^eed

.

The left rear tire came anart causing the driver to lore control.

Vehicle § 1 skidded 295* across median, 100 ' more across northbound

lanes of SH # 93 and then 196' turning over four times and came

to rest on left side heading east.

VEHICLE DEFECTS t Defective Tires.

•WMAI VEHICLES WERE DOING BEFORE ACCIDENT aA

VEHICLE No. I was traveling On 9.

LL21.... H.„i.?..V.„..

VEHICLE No. 2 was (raveling D O D D ft, It M.P.H. J2 12 12

J?y DGoing itillglil ahead O'Q Making right turn Slowing oi Slopping

Overtaking Making left turn C] Changing lanw

api-iCfoif-Hi 1 "!,- M.P.H. I 2 l~l I I Starting (torn parted position CD (ZD Slopped M parked O C Other (e«pl»ln above) 'WHAT PEDESTRIAN WAS DOING

PEDESTRIAN was going

Along

["") Aciossorinto Iiom.....

[Sweet nowv, hlqKwor no.)

| 1 Crossing al Intersection Q Stepped into path ol Vehicle

~~] Cussing not at Intrtsection Standing m roadway

.ilking in roadway - with traffic Q Standing in safety :one

I 1 *.''>•"(! in ro.idwav - against traffic J I rng oi Sitting on loadvviv

to S. E, cow. r'r.)

|~~1 Celling on or off Vehicle Playing in roadway

| | Hitching on Vehicle | | Other roadway

I 1 Pushing oi working on Vehicle I 1 Nol in roadway

| | Other woikmg in nudway J

Othci loip'ain abovel

Cold of Clothing

Dark Light

DRIVERS AND VEHICLES

PHYSICAL 1 0EJECTS ( (On veil '

VEHICLE

|

DEFECTS

CONTRI- BUTING

CIRCUM- STANCES

VEHICLE I

It

VEHICLE ?

ACCIDENT

Characteristics

LIGHTING CONOITION

V.t AIMER

Rx'iAIi SURTACE

1

T

X

ROAtl DEFECTS

TRATTIC CONTROL

Tvrr LOCATION

0

0

TRAf rO'AY CHARACTER

TRAFFIGWAY LANES

visior oHscnutn

1

o

CLASS Of TRAEHCWAYS

TYPE TRAFFICWAY

f> ° c

ui •£ a — £ w So"

t.AMt AUURLSS - Niinihei and Slir-Cl City and Stale Wilkin Bobbins Jr. , 12 3„Bul^ck St., Ant . 133, Atlanta Ga

Earl Snowden Rt. 5 Box 2*Q, Lake City, Florida

MKil AID GIVEN BY Li ke Cit y Re scu e Squad

"ifiJUHli TAKEN TO "

""" " B '

I I Piiv. Anhiilaiice I I Other lt>|ilainl Lik r S hore Hor^ital I«ake City R^rcue Unit f><3

. l_J Doclm ci Nmsf LJ Ceil fiisl Aidei [Xj Ceil, rust Aidei 1 Police 1 [T] Olhn ifiplairii

CHI MICAL TEST, TEST RESUI TS YES NO

Oliver No. I $Q

onvfi no. ? r~i rl

None

CHARlJE Citation No

SAVE CIIARlil Cilatifn No

f'HOlOURAI HS IAKI H ftf Yes On,

I I Oltieufrflainl

iimi s :u itu iji Af 1 .lit hi 9/2h/ „ 73 7»50^,

li"l ARhlVl II Al ',1

I HI 7i55 A.

*Aj IN VI STIf.Ai:>lN MAUI Al SI' I HE

III nul whfiel Yf»g

i r. INVI SllliAIION 111"! I I It III n>'l wliy I Yes
ATTACHMENT E-l

Armstrong rubber company

EXECUTIVE OFFICES 500 SARGENT DRIVE NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT

INTER-OFFICE CORRESPONDENCE

from A. R. Colborne to F. L. Palmieri

date April 2, 19 75

subject G70-15 Load Range B copy to T.C. Fritz, Jr.

High Speed Pursuit 70 E.J. Doyle

Testing Data T.J. Hughes

The G70-15 High Speed Pursuit 70 in a 4 ply nylon

construction was tested on Armstrong's extended version

of the FMVSS 109 stepped high speed wheel test.

Each of three tires tested achieved 1/2 Hr . @ 125 MPH

without failure.

The wheel test conditions were as follows:

1) 30 PS-I cold inflation pressure at start of test.

2) Constant 1,380 Lbs. Load throughout test.

3) Wheel room temperature of 100°F.

4) Speeds:

1 HR. @ 50 MPH (Break-In)

1/2 HR. @ 75 MPH

1/2 HR. 8 80 MPH

1/2 HR. @ 85 MPH

.- - - FMVSS 109 Minimum

Then increase the speed 5 MPH for

each succeeding- half hour test

increment

.

I would like to add that in any comparison between indoor

wheel and road high speed testing, the wheel testing must be

considered, by far, the most severe due to the high ambient

temperature required and lack of air circulation.

Outdoor track testing is forthcoming and these results will

be forwarded to you upon receipt.

Q.IZ, Cii-^jL.

A. R. Colborne

Project Engineer,

Research § Development

ARC: el

ATTACHMENT E-2

© TIRE AND RUBBER CORPORATION

EXECUTIVE OFFICES: BOX 1109, BUFFALO, NEW YORK 14240. 716 - 877-2200. TELEX 9-1240

June k, 197$

Mr. Jared J. Collard . Standards Lab

National Bureau of Standards

Washington, D. C. 2023U

Dear Mr. Collard:

Enclosed is the certificate of Dunlop Elite RS Radial Patrol tire

and specifications. This letter and the information attached has

been sent to the various state agencies interested in this tire.

We also have a G78-1 5 and H78-1 5 nylon U ply Dunlop RS Patrol

certified for 125 miles per hour of sustained speeds.

If any other information is necessary, please contact me.

Very truly yours,

DUNLOP TIRE AND RUBBER CORPORATION

B. P. Klyza, Assistant to

the Senior Vice President

BPK/bb

Ends.

HDWE^WIDLP . . . means quality in tires, golf, tennis and sports equipment

COPY

CERTIFICATION OF TESTING AND TEST RESULTS

STATE OF TEXAS

COUNTY OF REEVES

That on this 16th day of July, 1974, personally appeared before

me , a Notary Public, in and for said County and State, VICTOR F. SPRINGER,

known to ne to be the President of the Corporation that executed the foregoing instrument, who upon oath did depose that he is the Officer of said

Corporation as above designated; that he is acquainted with the seal of

said Corporation and that the seal affixed to said instrument is the Corporation seal of said Corporation; that the signature to said instrument

was made by the Officer of said Corporation as indicated after said signature; that the same Corporation execued the said instrument freely and

voluntarily and for the uses and purposes therein mentioned.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my

official seal the day and year in this certificate first above mentioned.

SEAL

(signature)

LETHA E . COATS , NOTARY PUBLIC

IN AND FOR REEVES COUNTY, TEXAS
COPY

AUTOMOTIVE PROVING GROUNDS, INC.

P. 0. Box 109 Phone 445-5092

Pecos, Texas 79772

I hereby certify that the tests reported below were conducted at

Automotive Proving Grounds Incorporated on July 13, 1974.

Tires were two (2) Dunlop Radial HR78-15, Identified as EAVYAA 1204,

Numbers Bl & B2.

Tests were conducted under the following conditions:

1. Test tires on two front wheels of vehicles

2. Cold Inflation - 30 psi

3. Load - 1510 lbs per tire

4. Rim - 6.50 JJ

5. Test Surface - Automotive Proving Grounds High Speed Track

6. Break-in - 54 miles @ 60 MPH

7. Test - 54 miles @ 90 MPH

- 54 miles @ 105 MPH

- 54 miles @ 115 MPH

- 50 miles (§12 5 MPH

The test was conducted under the above conditions on the (9) nine mile

asphalt test track located at Automotive Proving Grounds, Incorporated,

Pecos, Texas.

This track was built for testing of tires and was constructed to simulate

turnpike conditions.

At the end of the test, the tires were inspected and no visable defects

or failures of any nature could be found.

Ambient temperature for the tests was 73°F at start and 81°F at finish.

The tachograph chart made during the test is attached.

SEAL

Signed: (signature)

Victor F. Springer, President
ATTACHMENT E-3

April 1, 1975

Mr. Jared J. Col lard, Acting Mgr.

Police Vehicle Programs

Law Rnforcement Stds. Laboratory

Room B-150, Physics Building

National Bureau of Standards

Washington, D.C. 2023^

Dear Mr . Coll ard

Our Washington Office has referred your inquiry concerning

the sizes* and types of tires which Firestone has certified as

suitable for high speed patrol and pur c uit tire application to

us. These are listed below. Those sizes and types listed in

Group 1 were sent to you attached to my letter of January 22 : 1 975 • Group 2 lists additional sizes and types certified for

this usage since my letter and Group 3 lists additional ^i res

which are in process of being tested. The latter will be

certified when successful tests are cornnle.ted.

Size

Group 1 . HR7oVL5

G78-15

H78-15

G78-15

B78-15

J7o-15

Group 2 . HR78-15

JR78-15

GR70-15

G78-15

H78-15

Group j . FR70-m

HR70-1*?

Desc r ijo tion

Super" 5~0n Radial Tubelesr

Super 500 Sup-R-Belt

Tubeless

Super 50n Sup-R-Belt

Tubeless

Super

Super

Super

Super

Super

Super

500 Nylon Tubeless

500 Nylon Tubeless

500 N^l on Tube! e^s

12?

125

125

Radial

Radial

Radial

Tube! ess

Tubele s

^ubele^s

LR78-15

Super 125 Nylon Tubeless

Super 125 Nylon Tubeless

Super 125 Radial Tubeless

Super 125 Radial Tubeless

Super 125 Radial Tubeless

C or d Ma t e r i a I s Polyester/Kevlar

Pol vps ter /Fi her gl ass

Polvester /£ iber?lass

NylonNylon

Nylon

Pol ypster/Kevlar

Polyes ter ./Kevlar

Pol vp <= ter /Kevl a r Nyl on

Nylon

Polyester /Kevl ar

Pol yes ter /KevlaT*

Pol ves ter /Kevl ar

The Super 125 Radial line ^as recently been announced,

attached is a news release cove^-in 17 this line.

aJD:g

att.

Very truly yours.

A. J. T)i Micro- in ^ DiMaccrio

lUafJTY ARSTTRhNC.i1

THE FIRESTONE TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY • 1200 FIRESTONE PARKWAY • AKRON, OHIO 44317
I
RECEIVED

APR 1 4 1975

A.J. OiMAGGIO

April 10, 1975

FIRESTONE DEALERS AND STORES:

SUBJECT: USE OF NORMAL RADIAL PASSENGER CAR TIRES

AS HIGH SPEED "PURSUIT" TIRES

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Law

Enforcement Assistance Administration have recently cautioned against

the dangerous practice of some highway patrol police organizations

using normal radial passenger car tires in extra-legal high speed

"pursuit" driving. Firestone concurs in this caution and re-emphasizes

the following to its stores and dealers who sell tires to local governmental organizations.

Most tires procured by government agencies will be used in normal

passenger car service. In such case, our Steel Radial 500 tire rej presents the most economical all-purpose tire for this application.

*. However the Steel Radial 500 is not a "pursuit" tire. In the interest

of safety, it should be confined to speeds under 100 mph where permitted

by local law. When used at extra-legal speeds, it is imperative that

cold tire inflation pressures be maintained daily at 32 PSI.

Emergency vehicles, such as highway patrol police vehicles which

are customarily required to drive at speeds in the 100 mph to 125 mph

range, should always be equipped with manufacturer's certified "pursuit"

tires. The following three (3) tires are certified by Firestone as

"pursuit" tires and should be used exclusively in such application:

As it is impossible to know whether tires sold to police organizations will be mounted on vehicles employed in routine police service,

or as extra-high speed "pursuit" vehicles, we have advised all stores

and dealers that effective January 21, 1975? they may sell only manufacturer's certified "pursuit" tires to police organizations.

Special attention should be given to cases in which the procurement

is of a general nature, but there is a possibility that some of the tires

procured will or may be used on police pursuit or other emergency vehicles.

In such cases, the above information should be carefully reviewed with

the governmental procurement office or purchasing agent with a view to

obtaining the correct tire for the specific use or application intended.

Super 125 Nylon (Previously Super 500 Nylon)

Super 125 Radial (Previously Super 500 Radial)

Super 500 SRB (Now discontinued)

( over

)

HE FIRESTONE TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY • 1200 FIRESTONE PARKWAY • AKRON, OHIO 44317
-2-

Customers who have purchased radial passenger car tires for a use

which may not be proper under the above guidelines should be contacted

and advised to remove such tires from emergency vehicles and place them

on normal passenger service vehicles belonging to their organization.

You should then attempt to sell them one of the two Super 125 "pursuit"

tires listed above for emergency vehicles use. You should also reemphasize to all of your customers the necessity of daily maintenance

of cold tire inflation pressures at 32 PSI for driving at extra-legal

speeds. This will be particularly critical during the forthcoming Summer

months.

If you have any questions on the above, please contact your district

manager or district truck tire manager.

THE FIRESTONE TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY
ATTACHMENT E-4

1

BEGoodrich

1J VERYIMPORTANT- READ IMMEDIA TELY!

BULLETIN

Bulletin No.#PP74-65 Date 7-31-74

B.F.GOODRICH TIRE COMPANY

RECOMMENDS PURSUIT RADIAL, STOCK SERIES 302,

FOR USE ON ALL TYPE POLICE VEHICLES

B.F.Goodrich Tire Company manufactures three sizes of Pursuit

Radial Tires: Sizes GR, HR, and JR70-15. These tires are constructed

of rayon belts and carcasses and have been tested and certified to

be capable of driving up to 125 MPH.

B.F.Goodrich Tire Company strongly recommends that no other tire, bias

bias belted or radial steel, be offered for use on Police vehicles

where the operator could be caused to drive that vehicle in excess

of 100 MPH.

W. A. Kester,

Director of Field Sales

wb

TAKE FOLLOWING ACTION

v % File in P&PM

, 3. File in your

2. Keep until Revised

4. Remove fror

Manual Passenger gor^inn After Page

the following:

BFG-4864 7/74 B.F.Goodrich Tire Company

a Division of The S.F.Goodrich Company

\

Area Mktg. Director

1 Mgr Area Admin Sup Retread Service Arch & Const. Sup

Sup Retail Service

REGIONS

Regional Mgr

i Dist Mgr -Fran Sis. X Dist Mgr.-Retail Sis y Mgr Reg Sis. Admin X Mgr Franchise Sis. Contr Tire Men

Class 1 BFGS

: Class 2 BFGS

Leased Dept. Sup

Leased Dept. Sup Pt BFGS

,,: Comm'l Salesmen

Retread Plants BFGS —B&W Depts. Reg Acct g

TIRE OLRS.

. F Max

405 E X 410 PR

Associate BAT. OLRS. BFG OELCO

A 7A-30 B RP-25

Whlser 7A-20 ARM OLRS GENERAL

Cust Rel SProd Ser Cr Mgrs & Sup

Field Auditors Whse S S Mgrs

5-. Mgr Direct Sis. Sup. Fleet Sis. Spec Contr. Repr

Sup. Mileage Sales

Oil Co Personnel As Specified X Akron List

LITHO. IN U.S.A.
VERYIMPORTANT-READIMMEDIATELY!

BULLETIN

Bulletin No. GI-75-22 Date March 20, 1975

WAREyS POLICE:

USE C?JLY m®H SPEED TARES mpursuit vechicles

Steel belted radial passenger tires recently received national news coverage when statements were issued by both the Department of Justice

and the Department of Transportation. Highlights of the statements are

as follows:

1. A number of accidents, including two fatalities, have recently

resulted when steel belted radials failed during pursuit in excess of

90 miles per hour. (No B.F.Goodrich tires are involved.)

2. Police agencies should purchase only tires designed for high speed

pursuit for patrol vehicles that exceed 90 miles per hour.

3. Steel belted radials, in consumer use, "provide superior performance

in many aspects of vehicle handling and tire durability."

B.F.Goodrich Recommendation

The B.F.Goodrich recommendation was originally stated in Product and

Price Bulletin 74-65 sent to all retailers in mid-1974. This

recommendation is emphasized as follows:

"B.F.Goodrich Tire Company manufactures three sizes of Pursuit Radial

Tires (stock series 302-) : sizes GR, HR, and JR 70-15. These tires are

constructed of rayon belts and carcasses and have been tested and

certified to be capable of driving up to 125 mph."

"B.F.Goodrich Tire Company strongly recommends that no other tire, bias,

bias belted, or radial steel, be offered for use on police vehicles where

the operator could be caused to drive that vehicle in excess of 90 mph."

B.F.Goodrich Tire Company

TAKE FOLLOWING ACTION

1, pil B lw Product & Price Manual. 0 Keep -»*'» further notice.

3. File In y"-» k*»^.i»i Section After Page

AREA X Area Mktg Director X Mgr. Area Admin. X Sup Retread Service X Arch. & Const Sup. Sup. Retail Service

REGIONS X Regional Mgr. X Dist Mgr. -Fran Sis. X Dist. Mgr Retail Sis. X Mgr. Reg Sis Admin X Mgr. Franchise Sis X

Contr Tire Men X Class 1 BFGS X Class 2 BFGS X

Leased Dept Sup

X

Leased Dept

Sup. Pt. BFGS X

Comm'l Salesmen X

Retread Plants BFGS—B&W Depts X

Reg Acct'g

TIRE DLRS. X

Key PR X

Net

Other BAT. DLRS. BFG DELCO

A 7A-30

B RP 25

Whlser 7A-20 A&H DLRS. GENERAL

X

Mgr Mkt Dtvel X

Cust Rel & Prod Ser X

Cr Mgrs & Sup

X

Field Auditors X

Whse S S M(jrs X

Mgr Direct Sis x

Sup Fleet Sis X

Spec Conn Ruin x

Sup Mil.M.h' S.i.t",

Cil Co Pi'isoniit'l As Spooitit'il X Akron List

4. Remove from. .the following:.

» BPa-«a«4 12/74 B.F.Boctdrloh Tire Company

a Division of The B.R Goodrich Company

LITHO. IN U.S.

A
ATTACHMENT

June 5, 1975

United State8 Department of Commerce

National Bureau of Standards

Washington, DC 20254

Attention: Jared J Collard, Acting Manager

Police Vehicle Program

Lav Enforcement Standards Laboratory

Subject: High Speed Tires

for Police Vehicles

Gentlemen:

In reply to your letter of May 30, 1975 to Mr J W Timmons of our company,

we are furnishing the information requested on polioe tires manufactured

by Goodyear*

Following is a list of available police tires which, at this time, we have tested and certified up to a minimum speed of 125 mph.

I. Plfls Type (Rib Desj-m)

Brand Name

Police Special Nylon

§ias

G78-15

H78-15 "

J78-15 "

II. Bias Belted Type (Rib Design)

Construction

4 plies nylon body

M

Certified

Speed Rating

125 mph

G78-15

H78-15

L78-15

Police Special

Polyglas

U plies polyester

body + 2 fiberglass belts

125 mph
Jared J Gollard -a. June 5, 1975

in. m^fll Itytg (mi? Ptika)

Brand Name Contraption

2 plies polyester

body + 4 rayon belts

Certified

uaTO-U Polio© Specie! 125 aph

Radial

GR70-15 » *

BE78-15

HR70-15 una a a a

JR78-15 " » »

LR78-15

In addition to the

Ban

above rib design tires, a line of winter tread tires

is also available, which have been tested and certified up to a mini mm

speed of 115 nph which is the standard test for Goodyear*

Note: AH of the above listed rib and winter tires are supplied in load range 8 (4 ply rating) construction.

Enclosed is a brochure covering our police special line of tires which

provides engineering data for eaoh size.

Very truly yours,

Manager

Government Sales Department

C T Wig

evk
ATTACHMENT E-6

mailing address: P.O. Box 3467, New Hyde Park P.O., New York 11040 MICHELIN TIRE CORPORATION te,: (516) 488_350° (212 > 895-0900 cable: Pneumiclin Lake Success Technical Group

2500 Marcus Avenue

Lake Success, New York

31 March 1975

This is to certify that the following Michelin radial steel-belted tires

are designed for maximum speeds up to 130 mph and for handling performance

as required in applications such as police pursuit cars.

Revs

Tire Size Overall Overall Loaded Per Max. Tube

Designati on Rims Width Diameter Radius Mile Load PS I Codes

205HR14XVS 5, 5h, _6, 6%, 7, lh 8.2 27.0 12.2 773 1730 36 14H913

215HR15XVS 5, 5%, 6, 6%, 7, lh 8.6 28.5 13.1 726 1860 36 15H913

JBW:abb

ATTACHMENT E-7

PIRELLI TiRf CORPORATION Coo msi«L «»rnui . Nt • ^ m iuo J '<•>..

llRELLI

Apr t I 2, 1975

PIRELLI TIRES CERTIFIED FOR POLICE USE

Pirelli makes available tires certified for Police use in sizes

215-15 (replaces HR78-I5) and 235-15 (replaces LR78-I5). The

tires are suitable for applications requiring high speed capabilities, such as Police Pursuit cars, and have:

- black sidewal

I

- load range B

- max. air pressure 32 P.S.I.

- max. speed rating 130 M.P.H.
MBS-1 14A (Biv, nrai

u.&. 6ept ; ©f comm. BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA

SHEET

1. f^UNLiCATION OR KKPTjRT NO. 2. Gev't Agfc; t'§sion is Rt'feipU'nt's Agression Ne.

4, TiTLg ANB lUITlTLM

aepearfe ©n an Invesfeifatien ©f the High Speed

Hassards ©f steel lelted Radial Tires ©n ?©liee

Patrol Cars

1. Publitratien Date June 1I7S

6. PeFfefmlng Ofganigatifjn Cetl§

AUTHOR(S)

Jared J. Col lard

Si Performing Ofgan. Revert No.

9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20234

10. Pfojett/Task/Wofk Unit Ne. 4409380

11. Contract/Grant No.

12. Sponsoring Organization Name and Complete Address (Street, City, State, ZIP)

National Institute of Law Enforcement and Criminal

Justice, LEAA

Department of Justice

Washington, D.C. 20531

13. Type of Report & Period Covered

Final Report

14. Sponsoring Agency Code

15. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

16. ABSTRACT (A 200-word or less factual summary of most significant information. If document includes a significant

bibliography or literature survey, mention it here.) Two police fatalities and one permanent disability have been

caused by catastrophic failures of steel belted radial ply tires

during high speed police operations. More than 200 other failures

were reported by one State highway patrol department. The report

recommends that police departments use caution in selecting tires

for patrol cars, and that tire manufacturers be required to provide evidence that the tires sold for police use have been tested and

certified at speeds of at least 125 miles per hour.

17. KEY WORDS (six to twelve entries; alphabetical order; capitalize only the first letter of the first key word unless a proper name; separated by semicolons)

High speed radial tire hazard; radial tire failures; certification of

steel belted radial tires

18. AVAILABILITY Q£ Unlimited 19. SECURITY CLASS

(THIS REPORT)

21. NO. OF PAGES

[ For Official Distribution. Do Not Release to NTIS

UNCL ASSIFIED 51

1

1 Order From Sup. of Doc, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington. D.C. 20402. SD Cat. No. C13

20. SECURITY CLASS

(THIS PAGE)

22. Price

PE"~1 Order From National Technical Information Service (NTIS)

Springfield, Virginia 22151 UNCLASSIFIED $4.25

USCOMM-DC 29042-P74