With the holiday season upon us and scorching temperatures forecasted across the country, our cars’ tyres will come under incredible stress and there is always a risk they may burst while on the road.
Even with regular tyre maintenance and relatively new wheels, potholes and sharp objects pose severe dangers and could cause a blowout if hit at a considerable speed.
A tyre blowout is highly dangerous as the driver can easily lose control which may lead to an accident involving more vehicles.
These incidents are estimated to cause over 400 fatalities, over 10,000 injuries, and approximately 78,000 crashes every year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the United States.
Tyre blowout tips
MasterDrive, an advanced driver training organisation in South Africa, advises motorists to take the following course of action if they experience a tyre blowout while on the road:
- Hold the steering wheel firmly
- Do not slam on the brakes as it could cause a spinout
- Focus on keeping the vehicle straight, but be careful of overcorrecting
- Gradually and carefully slow down by easing off the accelerator
- If the car is manual and you have full control, change to a lower gear
- Once the vehicle slows to 50km/h or under, start braking gradually and coast to a stop
- Once safely off the road, switch on the emergency lights
Preparing for the situation is equally as important as knowing what to do when you’re in it.
Before starting the trip, MasterDrive recommends double checking you have all the essential tools to change a tyre, including a tyre iron, jack, pump, sealer, reflective triangle, and spare wheel that is inflated to the correct pressure should your car not have run-flat tyres.
Having an emergency contact on hand who will be available to assist should the worst happen, such as a family member or roadside assistance, is also helpful.
If worse comes to worst and the vehicle cannot be driven any longer, a tow-in service may be needed.
In this scenario, WesBank said one must only use a towing service authorised by your insurance provider, and if you don’t have one, request a quote from the tow truck driver before your vehicle is towed.
Take down the contact details and vehicle registration of the tow truck driver, too, along with the address of where your vehicle will be towed, and keep the information on hand in case it is requested by your insurer.
Keyword: What to do if your tyre explodes while driving