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

When experiencing a tire blowout, it's crucial to maintain control of the vehicle. Steering straight ahead without braking hard allows you to gradually regain control rather than risking a loss of stability. When a tire bursts, a sudden application of brakes can cause the vehicle to skid or tip over, particularly if you're driving a large commercial vehicle.

By simply steering straight, you help to avoid jerking the vehicle and maintain balance as the vehicle naturally decelerates due to the loss of a tire. Although turning on the hazard lights and stopping or attempting to speed up might seem like viable options, they can lead to more dangerous situations. Hazard lights are important once you are safely stopped, and speeding up could make handling the vehicle even more challenging, increasing the risk of a rollover or loss of control. Understanding this response is critical for safety and effective vehicle handling during such emergencies.