There is nothing quite as scary as losing control of your vehicle when you’re on the road. A tire blowout can quickly lead to an accident if you don’t know how to steer your way out of trouble. Fortunately, it’s relatively easy to learn how to handle a blown tire.
When a tire blowout occurs, drivers tend to react automatically. The loud noise of the tire popping combined with the sudden jerk of the steering wheel could make you hit your brakes or try to pull the wheel quickly to get back into your lane. Those actions could put you in more danger, though.
What should you do if your tire blows out while you’re driving?
To start with, don’t put on the brakes. You need to keep the vehicle moving at its current momentum if possible. To do that, keep your foot on the accelerator for a few moments. Then, with both hands on the wheel, counter steer the vehicle back into the lane. Once you get control, you can slow down by taking your foot off the acceleration. If possible, you or someone else should activate your hazard lights, so others around you know that you’re having trouble controlling your vehicle.
It’s possible to prevent tire blowouts by avoiding overloading your vehicle and checking your tire pressure regularly. Still, hazards in the roadway could result in your tires blowing out as you drive over a sharp object. In any case, knowing how to handle the momentary loss in control can help you avoid getting into an accident with anyone else on the roads.
Source: Tire Rack, “Driving Through Tire Blowouts,” accessed Jan. 05, 2018
