How should you respond to a tire blowout?

When you experience a tire blowout, the best response is to grip the wheel firmly and steer straight, then gradually slow down. This action is crucial because a blowout can cause the vehicle to become unstable. By maintaining a firm grip on the steering wheel, you can help prevent the car from swerving or losing control. Steering straight is essential to maintain control, as turning the wheel sharply could cause the vehicle to tip or skid.

Gradually slowing down allows you to safely reduce speed without sudden movements that could exacerbate the situation. It gives you time to assess the situation and guide the vehicle to a safe location off the road.

Other responses would result in dangerous scenarios. Releasing the brakes could lead to a loss of control during a critical moment, while turning the steering wheel sharply could cause the vehicle to skid or rollover. Accelerating is counterproductive, as it increases the risk of losing control by making it harder to handle the vehicle with a blown tire.