Police Driving:
Safety Behind the Wheel
with Capt. Travis Yates

Vehicle Tire Blowouts: Avoiding deadly consequences

The rapid deflation of a vehicle tire or "blow-out" can be a common event, and many times a fatal one. Michelin reports approximately 535 fatalities and 23,000 collisions per year due to a tire blowout. It is nearly impossible to train for the occurrence and the actions of the driver immediately following the event could be the difference between a severe wreck and simply changing a tire.

The recent death of Florida Trooper Darryl Haywood has been attributed in part to a rear tire blow-out during the initiation of a police pursuit. The investigation has yet to be completed on this tragedy and this article in no way is placing blame on the Florida Highway Patrol or Trooper Haywood. The incident has brought the issue of tire blow-outs to the minds of many and as a safety columnist; I would be remiss to not address the issue in general terms for other police officers.

Prevention
The easiest way to remain safe from a tire blow-out is to prevent the occurrence. The proper inflation of tires, monitoring the wear, and routine inspection of tires is the proper course to avoid the occurrence. Regardless of proactive measures, the event can still occur.

The puncture of the tire is the most common cause while hitting a curb, low tire pressure, normal wear out and tire malfunction are some other causes. As a law enforcement driver, it is best to be prepared for the event and have the knowledge to prevent a tragic consequence.

Actions
The first indication of a blow-out will be a tremendous, booming sound going throughout the vehicle. This is a critical point for the officer. The first action is to avoid panic and to not overreact. The instinct of many could be to brake hard or steer the vehicle. This could lead to tragic consequences. The sound of a tire blow-out can be scary but that is all. The dynamics of a vehicle will not cause it to crash, the driver's actions could.

Following a blow-out, vehicles have a tendency to pull toward the side of the deflated tire. If the driver reacts by jerking the steering wheel or pressing the brakes to compensate, the loss of control could be disastrous.

The proper action following a blow-out is to slightly accelerate. This will keep the vehicle momentum constant and will compensate for the pulling of the vehicle towards the flat tire. The steering wheel should be held straight and firm. Once the vehicle is under control and away from traffic, the driver should decelerate or brake lightly to stop the vehicle.

Very good info. I know it first hand . While my parents were traveling out of state they had a blowout on the hi-way doing 70mph and hit a concrete bridge support pillar. They were in critical condition. It was horrific for them, but all ended well. The car was crunched almost beyond recognition.

Tire care is so important . IMO a simple thing that is very much overlooked.

Great article
Thanks Thai

No problem...it was educational for me too! It is just counterintuitive (to me) to accelerate (and NOT to counter steer) when a tire blowout happens! The problem for me is...knowing is one thing, but taking the proper action when you're panicking and crapping in your pants is another....:awais:

LMAO

Agree, doesn't make sense. Easier said than done.

When I had a blow out in my Camry, I just pointed it in the direction I wanted to go (staying in my lane), didn't accelerate or brake and worked my way towards the shoulder. It was dry road conditions, so I'm not sure if it would be different on a slick surface and I was in a slide. FWIW, it was the front left tire (drive wheel) that blew out on my Camry and I moved to the right.

Many years ago, I had a right rear blow out on a '74 LTD, while on the ThruWay, doing about 70 in a light rain. I was in the left lane, with a guy right along side on the right. The rear end swung to the right a bit, but I was able to keep it in my lane, until I managed to slow down and pull to the right side, once the guy on my right cleared. If you think I was surprised, you should have seen the look on they guys face next to me. My right rear was about even with his left front when it blew, and it sure got his attention. The biggest problem I had was trying to get to the right, and off the road. The guy on my right must have been afraid to pass me, and started slowing down with me, instead of pulling ahead, and we were down to 35 or so before he finally passed me and I could get over. What I feel saved me was I always drive with both hands on the wheel. Too many people tend to drive with only one hand, or have a very light grip while on the interstate. I don't mean you should drive with a death grip, but if you don't have good control over the steering wheel, you can lose control in the first second or two of an emergency and not be able to regain it.

The car was new to us, and I hadn't closely checked the tires. They had almost brand new looking tread, but I wasn't aware that they were re-treads. The re-tread separated from the casing, causing the failure. That was the first, and last time I ever had a re-tread on my vehicle.

Thanks for the info!