Why Are Nails Always the Ones Puncturing Tires?
3 Answers
Rubber has a certain degree of tolerance. When the pointed end of a nail comes into contact with a moving tire, the impact and load can cause the rubber to be instantly punctured. Here are some scenarios where tires get punctured by nails: 1. Many people don't notice that most nails lie flat on the road, but a small portion may have their sharp ends pointing upward. If a tire rolls over them, it can get punctured. 2. Some nails lie flat and don't puncture the front tire when it rolls over, but due to the force of the vehicle's movement, they may flip to point upward and puncture the rear tire. 3. If you see wooden strips or planks on the road, try not to drive over them. Wooden materials that fall onto the road are usually from broken crates and may have nails in them. Therefore, first slow down, and if you can change lanes safely, do so. If not, try to 'straddle' over the obstacle.
As a seasoned driver with years of experience, I've seen plenty of cases where tires get punctured by screws. Why are screws so common? Mainly because there are numerous sources on the roads—auto repair shops often have screws scattered nearby, and construction sites are even more prone to them. These small, sharp objects easily pierce rubber tires when run over, unlike broken glass, which might only scratch the surface. What's worse, once embedded, the threaded structure makes screws stick firmly, causing slow leaks but greater damage. Last year on the highway, my tire was punctured by a screw, and if not for the timely use of a spare, it could have led to serious trouble. I advise drivers to avoid construction sites or auto repair areas when possible, regularly check tire treads for foreign objects, especially during nighttime when visibility is poor. With rapid urban development, these issues are becoming more frequent, so protecting your tires can save a lot of hassle.
I usually enjoy delving into small physics principles, and the idea of screws puncturing tires seems quite logical at first glance. Their design is intended to penetrate materials, with sharp heads and hard metal making them prone to pierce into tires as the vehicle rolls. Although tire rubber is flexible, it's weakest against sharp points; once a screw penetrates, its threads can deepen the wound, unlike smooth objects that might bounce off. In daily life, screws often drop at construction sites, and passing vehicles easily fall victim. I once encountered this myself while riding a bicycle—same principle. To reduce such incidents, maintaining proper tire pressure is key, as well-inflated tires are more resistant to punctures. If you're passing through suspicious areas, slowing down can significantly lower the risk.
