On a level highway at 50 mph with no other traffic, a tire blows out. What should you do first?

On a level highway at 50 mph with no other traffic, a tire blows out. What should you do first?

• A. Stay off the brake until the vehicle has slowed down
• B. Immediately brake hard
• C. Steer to the shoulder immediately
• D. Speed up to regain control

Answer: (A)

When a tire blows out, your first priority is staying in control of the vehicle. The blown tire will pull to the side and steering or braking input can make you lose that control quickly. Braking hard right away can cause the wheel to skid or the tire to tear further, making it harder to keep the vehicle going straight. By easing off the accelerator and avoiding the brakes, you allow the vehicle to slow gradually while you maintain a steady grip on the wheel. This helps you keep the vehicle straight and reduces the chance of a sudden pull or loss of control. Once you’ve slowed, you can then steer to a safe destination (like the shoulder) and brake gently to stop. So the immediate action is to stay off the brake until the vehicle has slowed down.

When a tire blows out, your first priority is staying in control of the vehicle. The blown tire will pull to the side and steering or braking input can make you lose that control quickly. Braking hard right away can cause the wheel to skid or the tire to tear further, making it harder to keep the vehicle going straight.

By easing off the accelerator and avoiding the brakes, you allow the vehicle to slow gradually while you maintain a steady grip on the wheel. This helps you keep the vehicle straight and reduces the chance of a sudden pull or loss of control. Once you’ve slowed, you can then steer to a safe destination (like the shoulder) and brake gently to stop. So the immediate action is to stay off the brake until the vehicle has slowed down.