North Carolina Traffic Law Practice Test

A tire blowout can be a sudden and frightening experience while driving, so knowing how to respond appropriately is crucial for safety. The correct approach involves gently steering to maintain control and gradually slowing down. This helps the driver to manage the vehicle's stability and prevent loss of control, which can lead to further accidents.

When a blowout occurs, the natural tendency might be to panic and brake suddenly, but this can lead to skidding or loss of steering control, particularly if the blowout happens on one side of the vehicle. By steering gently, the driver can compensate for the sudden change in handling caused by the loss of tire pressure.

Gradually reducing speed allows the driver to come to a stop safely in a controlled manner rather than abruptly stopping, which could pose a danger to both the driver and surrounding vehicles. Once the vehicle has slowed down enough, the driver can safely pull over to the shoulder or a safe area to assess the situation.

In contrast, accelerating in the event of a blowout could exacerbate the situation, as it may cause further instability, increasing the risk of a crash. Turning off the engine immediately may not be necessary or beneficial; maintaining some control of the vehicle until it can be safely slowed down is more important.