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

When experiencing a tire blowout while driving, the appropriate response is to hold the steering wheel firmly and steer straight. This action helps maintain vehicle control, preventing additional swerving or losing control, which can lead to further accidents.

During a blowout, the vehicle can pull strongly to one side of the road, so keeping a firm grip on the steering wheel allows the driver to counteract this pull while gradually slowing down. Avoiding sudden maneuvers, such as quick steering adjustments or harsh braking, is crucial, as they can exacerbate the situation. The goal is to slow down safely, find a safe place to pull over, and assess the situation without endangering oneself or other road users.

In contrast, immediately slamming on the brakes would likely result in a loss of control, while turning off the engine or checking tire temperatures is inappropriate in this situation, as it would distract from responding to the blowout safely.