How should you handle a tire blowout while driving?

When you experience a tire blowout while driving, maintaining control of the vehicle is crucial for your safety. The correct approach is to keep a firm grip on the steering wheel and slowly reduce speed. This method helps prevent the vehicle from swerving or losing control, which can happen if the driver overreacts or makes sudden movements.

Gradually reducing speed allows the vehicle to stabilize, giving you the opportunity to guide it to a safe area off the road where you can stop. By maintaining your grip and steering straight, you are less likely to create a dangerous situation for yourself or other road users.

In contrast, turning sharply to regain control can lead to loss of traction and potentially cause the vehicle to roll over or veer unexpectedly. Braking suddenly is also unwise, as it can cause the tires to skid, further complicating the situation. Shifting to neutral and coasting might seem like a calm approach, but it takes away the ability to steer effectively, which can make it difficult to control the car when you need to maneuver out of harm's way.

Thus, the best strategy is to stay calm, keep the vehicle steady, and gradually slow down until you can safely pull over.