What should you do if your tire blows out while driving?

Answer: B — Gradually apply the brakes and steer to a safe location

When a tire blows out while driving, the safest course of action is to gradually apply the brakes and steer the vehicle to a safe location. This method maintains vehicle control, allowing the driver to manage the situation without causing further instability. Briskly turning the steering wheel can lead to losing control of the vehicle, especially if the blowout occurs on a front tire. Steering sharply can induce skidding or roll-over risks. Accelerating after a blowout also risks losing control, as the sudden increase in speed can make it difficult to manage the vehicle’s direction, especially as it may begin to veer to one side due to the tire failure. Continuing to drive at normal speed is not advisable, as it may increase the risk of a total loss of control or exacerbate the situation, precariously balancing on a single tire or engaging in maneuvers that could further jeopardize safety. Therefore, the correct response involves a controlled approach by gradually applying brakes while looking for a safe area to stop, thus prioritizing safety above all.