In a tire blowout, what should you do first?

• A. Brake gradually
• B. Swerve to the shoulder
• C. Grip the steering wheel firmly
• D. Accelerate to regain control

Answer: (C)

When a tire suddenly pops, the vehicle can pull toward the flat tire and you can lose control in an instant. The first and most important action is to grip the steering wheel firmly with both hands. A steady, controlled grip helps you keep the car going straight and prevents overcorrecting as the tire grip changes. This control lets you steer toward a safe spot and start slowing down safely.

After you’ve established control, ease off the accelerator gradually to reduce speed. Avoid braking hard or making sharp steering movements while the tire is flat, because abrupt inputs can cause a loss of control or a skid. Once you’re moving straight and the vehicle is under control, you can decelerate more and steer smoothly to a safe stop.

The other actions are risky in this situation: braking abruptly or gradually while a tire is blown can cause unpredictable handling; swerve or steer hard toward the shoulder, especially at high speed, which can lead to loss of control or a crash; accelerating can worsen the pull and make it harder to regain control.