What should you do if you experience a tire blowout?

• A. Accelerate to regain control.
• B. Brake hard and steer toward the center.
• C. Grasp the steering wheel firmly, ease off the gas, and pull safely to the side.
• D. Continue driving at normal speed.

Answer: (C)

When a tire blows out, the car may start pulling toward the damaged tire and you can quickly lose stability. The best approach is to keep a firm grip on the steering wheel with both hands to maintain control, ease off the accelerator gradually to slow down without jerky changes, and steer smoothly toward a safe spot on the shoulder or side of the road. This combination helps you slow down and direct the vehicle safely without overcorrecting, giving you a controlled stop in a safer location. After you’re safely off the road, use your hazards and check the situation.

Accelerating would worsen the loss of control, braking hard can cause a sudden loss of steering and control, and continuing at normal speed is unsafe because the blown tire cannot be managed at that rate.