Safely deal with a tire exploding while driving.
It’s one of the most unexpected and unnerving driving experiences: a tire blowout. Something as small as a nail in the road can be the cause. Fortunately, tire blowouts can be prevented with proper maintenance and care of tires. Still, the unexpected event could occur, and it’s important for drivers to understand how to handle a tire blowing out while driving.
A blowout is pretty obvious. You’ll hear a pop, and one side of your car will drop down. If it’s a front tire, you may hear a flapping sound, and the steering wheel could jerk from your hands. A back tire may be less intense, but both situations should be handled the same.
Stay calm. This might be a silly thing to say given the situation, but in order to make the event of a tire blowout as safe as possible, you need to keep calm.
Do not apply the brakes. Although your instinct will be to press on the brake to slow your speed – don’t. Hard braking can exaggerate the way the car wants to pull as a result of the blowout, potentially leading to an accident.
Keep a firm grip on the wheel. The car will want to pull in the direction of the burst tire, so it’s important you keep the wheel firmly in both hands to keep the car as straight as possible.
Pull over safely. Pull your vehicle over to the side of the road and put your hazard lights on as soon as safely possible. Ensure that other motorists are aware that you have stopped by setting up safety reflective triangles behind your car if you have them. When you leave the car, it may be best to exit at the passenger side so that you are not in danger of oncoming traffic.
Assess the situation. If you are able to replace the wheel at the side of the road with a spare, then you can get to a safer and more practical location, or even all the way home/to your destination. Alternatively, you can call for breakdown recovery which can then take you to a repair shop.
The good news is that many tire blowouts are preventable with the proper effort and attention. Simple and routine inspections of your tires can help to notice wear and tear earlier.
When the worst does happen to your vehicle, auto insurance can help. Need help finding the right car policy for your needs? Don’t hesitate to contact us at Kurt Rolf Insurance Agency. Serving Minnesota, Wisconsin, Florida, South Dakota, and Arizona; our dedicated team is ready to assist you with all your coverage needs.
