Safely handle blowing a tire while on the road.

For many drivers, the idea of blowing a tire while they’re on the road is pretty terrifying. Actually, there’s good reason for this to be frightening, as it could become a potentially dangerous situation if you do not handle things correctly. If this ever happens to you, the most important thing is to stay calm and assess the situation carefully. Once you’ve gotten ahold of yourself, here are some of the steps that you should take.

  • Keep a firm grip on the wheel: There’s a chance that a blown tire might cause your car to swerve. So, keep a steady grip to ensure that you are not taken by surprise and lose control of your vehicle.
  • Slow down gradually: While your first reaction might be to slam on your brakes, this can cause your car to skid out of your control. Rather than braking, simply take your foot off the accelerator to gradually reduce your speed. As your vehicle slows, steer yourself towards the side of the road.
  • Pull over: Once your car’s speed is reduced to about 20 mph, you should be safe to apply your brakes. Do so gradually to ensure that your remaining tires keep traction on the road. At this point, you should pull over to the side of the road and come to a complete stop.
  • Warn other drivers: Once you are off the road, you should shift into park and apply your parking brake. Make sure that you also switch on your car’s hazard lights. This will warn other drivers that your car is experiencing trouble and will indicate that they should slow down a bit and move around you.
  • Repair: At this point, you can then take the necessary steps to replace your damaged tire. If you do not know how, or are uncomfortable doing so, call roadside assistance to take care of this for you.

These are the steps that you should take if you ever get a flat while you are driving.  Remember, another way to stay safe on the road is by having the proper auto insurance protections in place.  For assistance with all your car coverage needs, contact the team it Scautub Agency in Scotia, New York today.