What should you do if your tire blows out while driving?

When experiencing a tire blowout while driving, the safest and most effective response is to gradually reduce speed and steer to a safe area off the road. This allows the driver to maintain control of the vehicle during a critical moment, as sudden actions like hard braking can destabilize the vehicle.

Gradually reducing speed helps to prevent loss of control due to a sudden shift in weight distribution caused by the sudden loss of tire pressure. It’s essential to steer to a safe area, such as a shoulder or parking lot, away from traffic. Once safely stopped, the driver can then take time to assess the situation and manage the repair or call for assistance.

Maintaining composure and control during such an incident is key to ensuring safety for both the driver and other road users. Turning on hazard lights can also be a useful step, but doing so while still in the danger of moving traffic should not supersede finding a safe stopping place.