Your tyre blows out at night on the highway

Step 1

The tyre blows out at speed. What is your first action?

• Brake as hard as you can Hard braking can throw the car into a spin and add to the loss of control.
• Keep a firm grip and ease off the accelerator Safer choice Hold the wheel firmly and let the car slow gradually while you steer straight.
• Steer sharply onto the shoulder Sharp steering at speed can tip or spin the car.
• Pull the handbrake The handbrake locks the rear wheels and can cause a skid.

Step 2

You have stopped on the hard shoulder. Where do you wait?

• Standing behind the car to wave traffic around You are exposed to traffic that cannot see you in time.
• Inside the car, buckled, if traffic is very close Safer choice If the barrier side is unsafe, staying buckled inside is often the safer choice. Otherwise get out on the traffic-free side and wait behind the barrier.
• Sitting on the bonnet You are in the impact path of any vehicle that drifts.