A burst tyre /SCREENGRABTyre bursts are also known as tyre blowouts.
They have been a major cause of fatal accidents in Kenya and other parts of the world.
Anyone who has experienced a tyre burst can attest that it's not a pleasant experience.
Understanding how to respond in such a situation is important for your safety and the safety of other road users.
So, in the case of a tyre burst while driving, the first thing you should do is to remain calm.
According to the Digital Driving School, after remaining calm, avoid slamming the breaks but instead, ease off the accelerator slowly.
This will help in maintaining control of the vehicle.
“Keep a steady grip on the steering wheel and avoid sudden turns, allowing the vehicle to decelerate naturally,” the school advises.
The other action is to activate hazard lights and move to a safe area.
This will help in alerting other road users and in turn minimising any risks that may follow.
The driver must also look around for any approaching vehicles.
“After a blowout, checking for oncoming traffic before exiting the vehicle is crucial for your safety," Digital Driving school advises.
It adds that once safe, one should contact roadside assistance or a towing service, and if it's safe to do so, inspect the damaged tyre.
"For those equipped with a spare tyre, following the vehicle's manual instructions to replace the damaged tyre is advised,” the school adds.
Precaution
The school says that instances of tyre bursts can be avoided by taking into account a few maintenance measures.
These are described as the first line of defence for drivers.
The measures include ensuring your tyres are properly inflated and regularly checking for signs of tear and wear.
Ensuring your vehicle has proper tyre pressure is critical in preventing accidents as a result of tyre bursts.
“By keeping your tyres inflated to the recommended levels, as outlined in your vehicle's manual, you enhance their durability and reduce the likelihood of blowouts,” Digital Driving School says.
Following the manufacturer's recommendations for rotation and balancing can also significantly reduce the risk of blowouts, the school adds.
