Interstate Infernos

A total of 266,500 vehicles burst into flames on our highways in 2005. These fires claimed 520 lives, caused 1,300 injuries and almost a billion dollars in property damages, according to a new report by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Culprits
"The size and seriousness of the vehicle fire problem in the United States is prompting AAA to advise all motorists to be alert to vehicle maintenance issues that can cause fires, and to know what actions they should take if their vehicle is involved in a fire," said Dave Skaien, Auto Club-approved auto repair program development manager.


The AAA representative noted that drivers seem to believe that vehicle fires are the result of highway collisions or rollovers. Not actually so, according to NFPA. More than two-thirds of highway vehicle fires are caused by mechanical or electrical failures or malfunctions. Collisions or rollovers—although responsible for 57 percent of deaths in vehicle fires—caused only three percent of these fires.

Care
The AAA and the NFPA are urging all vehicle owners to carefully follow the manufacturers' maintenance schedules and to schedule annual comprehensive maintenance inspections of their vehicles. As part of those inspections, technicians should pay particular attention to damaged wiring and loose electrical connections, worn or blistered fluid lines and leaking connections, severely worn brake components and damaged heat shields, particularly those protecting catalytic converters, exhaust manifolds and other high-temperature sources of heat.


Consumers should watch for telltale signs of maintenance problems between annual checkups. These include: fluid leaks under the vehicle, cracked or blistered hoses, or wiring that is loose, has expo-ed metal or has cracked insulation.