How to Handle a Tyre Blowout Safely

A tyre blowout is one of the most frightening experiences a driver can face and one of the most dangerous. In the blink of an eye, your vehicle can become unstable, and panic can quickly set in. Yet, what you do in the crucial few seconds following a blowout could mean the difference between a safe stop and a serious collision.

In the UK alone, thousands of motorway incidents every year are tyre related, with tyre failure contributing to over 400 casualties annually, according to data from the Department for Transport (DfT, 2024). Knowing how to handle a blowout and how to prevent one in the first place is essential for all drivers, whether you're commuting, holidaying, or hauling a caravan.

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What Exactly Is a Tyre Blowout?

A blowout occurs when a tyre rapidly loses air pressure, often accompanied by a loud bang, a sudden jerk in the vehicle’s steering, and immediate difficulty controlling the car. It typically results from structural damage, prolonged underinflation, or high speed impact with potholes or road debris.

Modern tyres are more robust than ever, but they're not indestructible. Tyre integrity is affected by age, wear, inflation level, and load weight all factors that can quietly build risk under your bonnet.

Common Causes of Tyre Blowouts

While no one can predict exactly when a blowout might occur, the leading causes are largely preventable:

• Under inflated tyres: The #1 culprit. Low pressure causes tyres to flex more, overheat, and eventually fail.

• Overloading: Carrying too much weight increases strain on tyres.

• Pothole damage: Striking a pothole at speed can rupture sidewalls or dislodge a bead.

• Aged rubber: Tyres over 6 years old, even with good tread, are more prone to blowouts.

• Road hazards: Nails, glass, or even kerb hits can silently weaken a tyre until it gives way.

  
  

The Blowout Happens Now What?

Step 1: Stay Calm and Keep a Firm Grip: The moment you hear or feel a blowout, your instinct might be to brake hard or jerk the wheel don’t. These reactions can lead to total loss of control.

Keep your hands firmly on the wheel (both hands, 9 and 3 o’clock position). The car will likely pull in the direction of the damaged tyre. Resist the urge to fight it aggressively focus on keeping it as straight and stable as possible.

Step 2: Ease Off the Accelerator: Do not brake suddenly. Let your foot off the accelerator slowly and allow the vehicle to decelerate naturally. This gradual slowing helps maintain balance and avoids overloading the remaining tyres.

Step 3: Signal and Steer to Safety: Once you've regained some control and slowed to a manageable speed, activate your hazard lights and begin moving towards the hard shoulder or a safe lay by if you're on a motorway. On A roads or smaller streets, aim for a safe pull over area well away from traffic.

Step 4: Come to a Complete Stop: When it’s safe, brake gently to bring your car to a stop. Engage the handbrake, switch off the engine, and exit the vehicle only if it’s safe to do so. If on a motorway, exit on the passenger side and wait behind the barrier, never in the car.

Step 5: Call for Help: Use your breakdown service or Highways England emergency phone if you're on a motorway. Changing a tyre yourself at the roadside, particularly on a motorway, is strongly discouraged unless in an absolutely safe area.

What Not to Do During a Blowout

• Do not slam on the brakes

• Do not yank the steering wheel

• Do not continue driving for long distances on a blown tyre

• Do not stay in your vehicle if stopped in a live lane or narrow hard shoulder

  
  

Front vs. Rear Blowouts: What’s the Difference?

• Front tyre blowouts affect steering most directly. You’ll feel the car pull to one side and the steering may suddenly feel heavy.

• Rear tyre blowouts are more destabilising and may cause fishtailing or swerving, especially in rear wheel drive vehicles.

  
  

Regardless of which tyre fails, the recovery steps remain the same: stay calm, maintain control, decelerate gradually, and move to safety.

Tyre Safety: Prevention Is Your Best Defence

While you can’t foresee every risk, consistent maintenance dramatically reduces your odds of experiencing a blowout. Here are key preventative steps:

1. Check Tyre Pressure Weekly

Use a digital gauge or visit a petrol station. Your vehicle’s handbook or door sticker will tell you the correct PSI (usually 30 to 35 PSI for most passenger cars).

2. Inspect Tyres Regularly

Look for cracks, bulges, uneven wear, and embedded objects. Tread depth should always be above 1.6mm and ideally above 3mm for wet safety.

3. Avoid Overloading

Refer to your vehicle’s load index. Overloaded vehicles aren’t just illegal they make blowouts much more likely, particularly during heatwaves or long journeys.

4. Replace Old Tyres

Even if tread looks decent, rubber degrades over time. Replace tyres every 6 to 10 years, depending on usage and climate.

5. Be Pothole Aware

Slow down on rough roads and avoid puddles (which may conceal deep holes). If you hit a pothole, inspect tyres immediately afterwards.

Final Thoughts

Blowouts are frightening, but survivable if you respond wisely. Understanding the risks, reacting with composure, and preparing in advance could be the difference between a breakdown and a catastrophe.

As more drivers invest in run flat tyres, TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems), and dash alerts, it's clear that technology is helping reduce blowout risks. But even the best gadgets can’t replace basic safety habits.

So before your next trip, take a minute to check those tyres. It’s the simplest step to keep you and everyone else safer on the road.

Elliot Sharp

Vehicle Safety & Insights Analyst, Smart Driving Column