Florida Class E Knowledge ExamVehicle Operation and ControlHard
You are driving and experience a tire blowout. What is the safest immediate action to take?
- AImmediately pull over to the side of the road and stop.
- BGrip the steering wheel firmly, ease off the accelerator, and steer straight.
- CApply the brakes firmly and steer hard into the skid.
- DShift into a lower gear to use engine braking.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Grip the steering wheel firmly, ease off the accelerator, and steer straight.
A tire blowout can cause the vehicle to pull sharply. Your immediate response should be to grip the steering wheel firmly to maintain control, ease off the accelerator to reduce speed gradually, and steer straight ahead until you can safely pull off the road.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Immediately pulling over without first gaining control can be dangerous, especially if the vehicle swerves.
- C. Applying brakes firmly can cause further loss of control, especially with a damaged tire.
- D. Shifting into a lower gear can cause a sudden deceleration, potentially worsening the instability caused by the blowout.
Tire Blowout Response
The critical steps to take immediately after a tire blowout to maintain control of the vehicle and bring it to a safe stop.
- Grip steering wheel firmly.
- Ease off accelerator (do not brake hard).
- Steer straight to maintain lane.
Memory trick: Grip, Ease, Straight, then pull to the right!