What should you do immediately after experiencing a tire blowout?

When experiencing a tire blowout, the correct action is to hold the wheel firmly and do NOT apply the brakes. This is crucial because a sudden brake application can cause the vehicle to lose control, especially if the blowout occurs at high speed. The instinctive reaction may be to brake hard, but doing so could increase the risk of skidding or rolling the vehicle.

By maintaining a firm grip on the steering wheel, you ensure better control of the vehicle as it may pull to one side due to the loss of tire pressure. It is important to steer straight and gradually allow the vehicle to slow down naturally by easing off the accelerator. This helps to stabilize the vehicle until it’s safe to pull over to the side of the road.

The action of coasting to a stop allows for a safer and more controlled deceleration. Once the vehicle has slowed down sufficiently, you can then safely maneuver it off the road. This approach minimizes the potential for panic or additional hazards while ensuring that control is maintained until you can bring the vehicle to a stop safely.