I don't think the theory about less failures this year can be validated. Yeah, tires are getting better but it may also be that the price to the OEM between a terrible tire and a fairly good one is getting so close that more good ST tires are being installed. I can't see where anyone's driving habits have changed. One Forum member states that he drives 75+ mph so that he gets to his next destination faster. This is critical to him because he is short on vacation time. When you have that kind of reasoning, any technical improvement goes out the window (or alongside the shoulder).
