A tyre burst can be sudden and frightening — but knowing how to react can prevent a serious accident. This guide explains exactly what to do if your tyre blows while driving, including how to stay in control, pull over safely, and avoid future blowouts. For expert tyre checks and replacements, contact us at Tyres.co.uk.
If a tyre bursts while you’re driving, you’ll know about it.
In an instant, it can feel like the steering wheel suddenly has a life of its own – pulling the vehicle to one side as the forward momentum fights against the sudden loss of movement from one corner of the vehicle.
The experience can be pretty scary for all involved and can lead to serious incident if you aren’t prepared with how to handle the situation.
To help you feel prepared for all eventualities, including a tyre blowout on the road, here’s a quick guide on what to do when it happens – as well as maintenance tips to lower the risk of a blown tyre occurring at all.
Steps to Follow if a Tyre Bursts on the Road
- Do not brake suddenly or let go of the steering wheel – instead, keep a firm grip on the steering wheel
- Gradually slow down by gently applying the brakes
- Turn on your hazard lights to let others on the road know that you are facing an issue
- Pull over to a safe location as soon as you can – be it a layby, car park, hard shoulder, or other safe space
Once you are safely pulled over you can either replace the blown tyre with a spare (if you have one in your vehicle and if you are equipped to do so), or you can call your breakdown provider for help.
Important Things to Remember When Your Tyre Bursts
Perhaps the most important thing you need to remember if and when a tyre bursts is that braking hard will only make the situation worse.
Applying sudden pressure on the brakes will only cause the vehicle to drag on one side, which can cause the car to pirouette on the road with the sudden change in momentum. Slowing down gradually is crucial to maintain as much control as you can.
It is also important to put your hazards on as soon as possible, to help explain any unexpected or off behaviour to other drivers. If you suddenly start to slow down or your car starts veering and pulling to one side, having your hazard lights on lets other vehicles know to stay away from you.
