How should you handle a tire blowout while driving?

When experiencing a tire blowout while driving, the best course of action is to keep the steering wheel steady and pull over safely. This response is crucial because a blowout can cause the vehicle to behave unpredictably, often swerving in the direction of the blown tire. Maintaining a firm grip on the steering wheel helps keep the vehicle straight, allowing you to control its direction as you prepare to pull over.

Once you have a firm handle on the steering wheel, the next step is to safely transition to the side of the road. This ensures that you are out of the flow of traffic and in a secure position to assess the situation and address the flat tire. This method also minimizes the risk of losing control of the vehicle which can happen with aggressive maneuvers, like speeding up or making quick lane changes.

In contrast, speeding up can exacerbate loss of control by increasing the vehicle's instability. Slamming on the brakes can lead to skidding or tipping, particularly if the blowout impacts a rear tire. Quickly changing lanes might result in collisions with other vehicles, as you could potentially catch drivers off guard. Thus, the focus should always be on securing control and pulling over to a safe location after a tire blowout.