Now that you know what can cause semi truck tire blowouts (see: 4 Causes of Truck Tire Blowouts) and how mitigate the risk of one, below are some tips on what to do when one does happen to you.
The first thing you can do to safely navigate through a tire blowout is to always be mentally prepared for one to happen. Being prepared will make you less likely to panic when the situation arises, and could even save your life. When panic sets in, you're more likely to make mistakes and do things you might not normally do. Mental preparedness can make you feel more calm and in control of the situation, and more likely to remember the right way to handle things.
But whether you're mentally prepared or not, these next four actions will get you through a blowout as safely as possible.
- AVOID pressing the brake pedal
- Press the accelerator for an instant - this will stabilize the vehicle
- AVOID jerking the steering wheel
- Hold the wheel steady and allow the vehicle to slow down on its own.
If you're wondering why this advice is given, see this article for a great explanation,
While these things may sound like common sense to most drivers, it is important to note that serious accidents continue to occur as a result of tire blowouts. It is apparent that, even though people may know what to do, the panic a blowout incites can cause them to temporarily forget. Remembering what not to do can save not only your life but also lives of other drivers in the vicinity.
Today, tires are made of exceptional quality and the chances that a driver may experience a blowout are not very high. Nevertheless, to reduce the risk of a blowout: always inspect your tires, avoid excessive speeds, and pay attention to the road. The more prepared you are, the higher the chance that you will be able to handle a blowout. So until tire manufacturers find a way to build a blowout-proof the tire, be sure you're taking every possible precaution.
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