Driving in Connecticut can be challenging, especially in bad weather or on hazardous roads. Even if you feel prepared, facing a sudden danger—like a tire blowout—can be shocking. It’s crucial to know how to handle such situations calmly to avoid personal injury or a car accident.
If your tire blows out while driving, here’s what to do:
- Stay Calm: Take a deep breath to help you stay focused.
- Don’t Overcorrect: Avoid jerking the wheel. Instead, gently steer straight and maintain your speed for a moment.
- Gradually Slow Down: Ease off the gas pedal slowly. Do not brake hard, as this can cause loss of control.
- Find a Safe Spot: When you’ve slowed down enough, look for a safe place to pull over, like a wide shoulder or parking lot.
- Turn on Hazard Lights: Once you’re safely stopped, turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers.
- Assess the Situation: Check your tires and call for help if needed. If you’re on a busy road, stay inside your vehicle until help arrives.
By knowing these steps, you can reduce the risk of personal injury and avoid a car accident during a tire blowout. Staying calm and prepared can make a big difference in keeping yourself safe on the road.
According to Allstate Insurance Company, the biggest mistake that you can make if your tire blows out is to frantically try to get your vehicle onto the shoulder. Depending on your position in traffic, this could require you to navigate your disabled vehicle across multiple lanes of traffic at the expense of your safety and the safety of others.
When your tire is compromised and you make even the slightest adjustment to your direction, your vehicle could spin out which could result in it rolling or becoming involved in a violent collision. Instead, you should carefully maintain your position within your lane and slightly accelerate until your damaged tire deflates and slowly brings your vehicle to a lower speed. From here, it may be much safer to navigate to a safe spot where you can bring your vehicle to a complete stop and assess the situation. Making sure you regularly maintain your tires and monitor your tire pressure and tread are important tasks to prevent a tire blowout from happening to you.
The information in this article is intended for educational purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice.
