Car Care Month

WHEREAS, past studies have shown neglected maintenance leads to thousands of deaths, nearly 100,000 disabling injuries and more than $2 billion in lost wages, medical expenses and property damage nationwide; and

WHEREAS, of the 4,772,922 registered vehicles in Alabama, three quarters are in need of some type of preventative maintenance; and

WHEREAS, neglected tire maintenance is responsible for nine percent of crashes; and

WHEREAS, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency, light duty vehicles are responsible for approximately 55 percent of US transportation emissions; and

WHEREAS, through proper maintenance, a ten-year –old vehicle can produce fewer emissions than poorly maintained five-year-old vehicle; and

WHEREAS, disabled vehicles are a major cause of highway congestion that is avoidable with proper maintenance of critical vehicle systems; and

WHEREAS, proper maintenance of key safety systems such as brakes, air bags and lights will help the state reduce accidents and accompanying injuries and fatalities; and

WHEREAS, proper maintenance will reduce fuel usage by cars and therefore save car owners money and reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of the State of Alabama, do hereby proclaim April 2014, as

Car Care Month

in the State of the Alabama and urge all citizens with vehicles to “Be Car Care Aware,” and inspect and perform all maintenance necessary to ensure their vehicle is operating in a safe, efficient and clean manner.