Weathering the Road: Hankook Reveals Biggest Challenges for Today's Drivers

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Apr 25, 2024, 10:00 ET

New data from Hankook Tire highlights consumer stresses on the road from inclement weather to teen driving

NASHVILLE, Tenn., April 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As drivers take to the road each day, they face countless challenges, from navigating through unpredictable weather, to taking on maintenance issues and even the persistent worry parents have about teen driving. To shed light on these concerns, leading global tire maker Hankook Tire unveils valuable insights into what concerns drivers on today's roads with the latest edition of its ongoing consumer Gauge Index.

Braving the Elements: A Driver's Dilemma

Hankook Gauge Index (PRNewsFoto/) (PRNewsfoto/Hankook Tire America Corp.)

According to the Gauge, driving in inclement weather is the top challenge for drivers (25%), followed by driving in unfamiliar places (17%) and changing a flat tire (15%). In addition, more than half (51%) of drivers indicate that bad weather would prompt them to stop driving or turn around and delay reaching their destination. When examining generational demographics, it's noteworthy that 62% of Boomers compared to 37% of Gen Z identified bad weather as a reason to halt or delay their journey. Moreover, among respondents who identified changing a flat tire as the most challenging situation, 17% were Boomers compared to 10% of Gen Z.

Overall, when bad weather is forecasted to strike, vehicle preparation becomes a ritual for a majority of consumers: 59% check tire pressure and tread depth, 53% refill fluids, and 50% replace windshield wipers. While traditional all-season tires offer versatility in various weather conditions, all-weather tires such as the Kinergy 4S2, complete with a Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake rating, go a step further in providing drivers with peace of mind in any driving conditions.

"The insights provided by the Hankook Gauge Index are invaluable in understanding the evolving needs and concerns of drivers," said Rob Williams, President of Hankook Tire America Corp. "As a company committed to innovation and safety, we are dedicated to addressing these challenges and providing tires that cater to all vehicles and driving conditions, ensuring optimal performance and that drivers feel comfortable on the road."

Teen Driving Tests Parents

The survey also brings into focus the depth of parental concerns regarding teen driving, offering insights into the complexities of their apprehensions. While striving to maintain a sense of optimism, parents of teen drivers express varying degrees of concern depending on the distance of their teen's journey. When teens venture out locally, 39% of parents admit to feeling "a bit anxious but hopeful." However, this sentiment diminishes to 28% when contemplating their teen driving long distances.

Regional disparities further shape parental perceptions, with Northeastern parents emerging as the most apprehensive group. In the Northeast, 23% of parents admit to feeling "extremely concerned and fearful" about their teen driving locally, presenting a notable difference compared to their counterparts in the South (12%) and West (7%).

Conversely, drivers in the South exhibit a notable sense of trust in their teen's ability to navigate long distances. A considerable 32% of Southern parents express feeling "confident and relaxed" when their teen embarks on long-distance drives, surpassing the sentiments of parents in the Northeast (14%) and the West (11%).

The Hankook Gauge Index is a survey of Americans' attitudes and opinions about driving. The latest survey, conducted March 13-14, polled 1,012 randomly selected Americans age 18 and older.

About Hankook Tire America Corp.
Hankook Tire America Corp. is a growing leader in the U.S. tire market, leveraging investments in technology, manufacturing and marketing to deliver high-quality, reliable products that are safer for consumers and the environment. Headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., Hankook Tire America Corp. markets and distributes a complete line of high-performance and ultra-high-performance passenger tires, light truck and SUV tires as well as medium truck and bus tires in the United States. Hankook Tire America Corp. is a subsidiary of Hankook Tire & Technology Co., Ltd., a Forbes Global 2000 company headquartered in Seoul, Korea.

SOURCE Hankook Tire America Corp.