If you experience a tire blowout, what should you do?

When experiencing a tire blowout, the best course of action is to keep a firm grip on the steering wheel and gradually slow down. This approach is crucial because a blowout can cause your vehicle to pull to one side, and maintaining control is essential for your safety. By keeping a firm grip, you can better manage the steering, allowing you to maintain a straight path and avoid abrupt movements that could lead to losing control.

Gradually slowing down is important as it helps prevent skidding and allows you to come to a stop safely, ideally in a controlled manner rather than trying to stop suddenly. It's also beneficial to turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers about your situation, ensuring that they can take appropriate measures as well.

In comparison, quickly steering to the side of the road can result in losing control and more severe accidents. Speeding up to regain control is counterproductive, as it increases the likelihood of losing traction and control. Pulling over immediately without slowing down is dangerous because the sudden stop could upset the balance of the vehicle, leading to a loss of control. Thus, managing your speed and maintaining steering control is critical during a tire blowout.