How should a driver respond to a tire failure while en route?

• A. Maintain control, gradually slow, pull over to a safe area, and assess the tire; follow agency procedures for replacement or tow.
• B. Immediately brake hard and pull over.
• C. Stop in the middle of traffic lane.
• D. Continue to destination and report later.

Answer: (A)

When a tire failure happens, the priority is to keep the vehicle under control and move to a safe location off the roadway. A tire blowout or other failure can suddenly affect steering and braking, so you should smoothly reduce speed, steer with deliberate, gradual movements, and guide the vehicle toward a safe area such as a shoulder. Once stopped in a safe spot, assess the tire and follow your agency’s procedures for replacement or tow. This approach minimizes the risk of loss of control, a crash, or creating a roadway hazard for others.

The other options aren’t appropriate because braking hard or stopping abruptly can worsen loss of control during a tire failure; stopping in the middle of a traffic lane creates a dangerous obstruction; and continuing to the destination without addressing the tire delays safety and violates standard emergency-vehicle procedures.