What should you do if you experience a tire blowout while driving?

When experiencing a tire blowout while driving, it's crucial to remain calm and take the appropriate actions to maintain control of the vehicle. Holding the steering wheel firmly and slowing down gradually helps ensure that you don't lose control of the vehicle. The sudden loss of air pressure can make the vehicle pull to one side, and a firm grip on the steering wheel will aid in keeping the vehicle steady as you respond to the blowout.

Gradual deceleration allows you to reduce speed safely without creating a hazardous situation for yourself or other drivers. It is important to avoid abrupt maneuvers, such as hard braking or sharp turns, which can increase the risk of skidding or rolling the vehicle over. Instead, focusing on a controlled slowdown gives you the best chance to maneuver the vehicle safely to the side of the road where you can stop.

Other options tend to lead to unsafe outcomes when managing a blowout. For example, braking hard could cause the vehicle to become unstable, while accelerating might worsen the situation by increasing the risk of losing control. Using the horn could help alert other drivers but does not address the immediate need to maintain control of the vehicle in this critical moment.