CURRENT LEGAL ARTICLES

Tyre Blowouts: What Should You Do?

It is not always easy to spot uneven wear on a tyre, especially on the area closest to the car axel on the rear wheels.

A tyre blowout is a nightmare when driving on the road. Fortunately, you may not have experienced this. However, being prepared for such an incident will not only save you a lot of trouble but could also save your life.

What Causes A Tyre Blowout?
A tyre blowout isn’t caused by one single factor. However, it has a primary cause common amongst drivers who have experienced a tyre blowout. Below are some causes of a tyre blowout, starting with its most common cause.

Under-inflated Tyres
Driving under under-inflated tyres is the primary cause of a tyre blowout. How does this happen exactly? If you are going on under-inflated tyres, it implies that the air pressure in that tyre is dangerously low. As a result, your tyre overheats as it flexes beyond its limits. Also, the overheating will cause the tyre’s steel cord reinforcement and internal fabric to lose their hold with the rubber.
Remember that if you are driving on under-inflated tyres, a tyre blowout isn’t the only problem you can face. Also, driving under under-inflated tyres could cause balancing issues, resulting in uneven wear. The dangers that accompany under-inflated tyres are simply not worth the risk. Therefore, checking and resetting your tyre pressure correctly is crucial to avoid these situations.

Overloading
This one’s a no-brainer. If you exceed your tyre’s weight limit, you will have complications. Tyre weight ratings are put out there for you, and with good reason. Overloading your vehicle will squish the tyre. Consequently, your tyre begins to overheat as its structure fails, resulting in a tyre blowout.
A tyre blowout might not happen when your tyre’s weight limit is crossed. However, when you repeatedly overload your vehicle, you are subjecting your tyre to constant stress that will compromise its integrity. 

Direct Hit or Impact
You can injure your tyre in several ways, from potholes to hitting the curbs of a parking lot. However, a direct hit on your tyre can carry enough force to cause shearing pressure on your tyre’s composition. Over time, your tyre’s integrity begins to plummet as it loses air pressure. A tyre blowout is imminent if you continue to drive on such a tyre.

What Should You Do If You Have A Tyre Blowout?
One of your worst road nightmares finally stares at you; you have a tyre blowout. Here’s a step-by-step guide on what you should do if you have a tyre blowout:
1. Don’t panic
2. Avoid hitting the brake because it will cause you to lose control
3. Counter-steer to keep your vehicle from plunging into the other lane
4. Gradually begin to slow down by taking your foot off the gas
5. Switch on your emergency hazard light
7. When it’s safe, carefully steer towards the left-hand lane and pull over
8. Replace the blown tyre or wait for the help

What Should You Do to Prevent A Tyre Blowout?
You know the saying, “prevention is better than cure.” As cliché as it sounds, it couldn’t be more right. After all, the chances of experiencing a tyre blowout reduce drastically if you can find a way to prevent it. Below are preventive measures you can take to avoid a tyre blowout.
• Avoid overloading your vehicle
• Inspect your tread regularly for wear and tear
• Ensure to replace your tyres on schedule
• Check your tyre pressure regularly
A lot of tyre mishaps can be avoided through maintenance and safe driving. However, we understand accidents happen, so we want you to be prepared beforehand, which led to this article. Thanks to this guide, having a tyre blowout wouldn’t be a life-or-death situation as you are now equipped with the information required to handle it. With that out of the way, safe driving!

Statistics show that 10% of road accidents are caused by tyre failure. Every year, approximately 1.3 million people’s lives are cut short due to a road traffic crash. According to the World Health Organisation, between 20 and 50 million more people suffer non-fatal injuries, with many incurring a disability due to their injury. Tyre pressure monitoring systems do help. If you hit a pothole or foreign object while driving, check your tyres, especially since some vehicles’ rear inside area is not always visible.
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Best regards,

Dylan Green

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