A flat tire while riding can be a very dangerous experience. Many serious accidents have occurred as a result of this situation. And sudden braking could cost you your life.
He overturned with his car after a tire explosion Photo: ISU Argeș
One of the signs of a flat front tire when the car is running is a shaking steering wheel. The vehicle goes out of control and tends to head towards the direction of the explosion.
All that matters now is the driver's reaction and his ability to right the car.
“On the front wheel when you blow out, the first thing you realize is that you've blown a tire or two, if you're unlucky, by the fact that your steering wheel shakes a lot“, says Viorel Teacă, a former policeman from Sibiu, with over three decades of experience in the system.
Also, there are big differences between a rear tire blowout and a front tire blowout, the latter being much more dangerous. “On the back wheel I also did (explosion no), but I straightened the car very well”claims the former policeman, on TikTok.
Three important steps
Viorel Teacă enjoys great popularity on social networks where he offers people various advice. His videos are viral on the internet.
Recently, the ex-cop explained three steps to take when your front tire blows out while riding. His post has garnered more than a million views and hundreds of comments on TikTok.
In his opinion, the most important thing is that the driver does not get lost. The driver must try to stay in his lane.
What to do when your tire explodes while driving Photo: Dan Ion/Facebook
“You have to keep calm, you can even talk to yourself and say to yourself: «Calm, calm, I am calm!». You grip the steering wheel very hard in your hands so as not to lose the direction of travel“, says Viorel Teacă.
Sudden braking is not recommended, as this will result in loss of vehicle control.
“Very important: don't slam on the brake. You don't brake suddenly, because basically you have to realize that one tire, at least, no longer grips the ground, and a sudden brake could even overturn the car“, the former policeman also mentions.
Last but not least, more precautions should be taken even after you have managed to control the car. The intention to stop will be signaled in advance and the vehicle will be parked in a safe area.
“When you have escaped and say that everything is fine, step number three is equally important, namely: where do you park the car. You have to make sure you do it off the road as much as possible and signal it. And if it's during the day, including at night, use the triangle as well“, concludes Viorel Teacă.
As a rule, such an event also produces other damages. That is why it is recommended to call for roadside assistance, not just for fitting the spare wheel.
Thanks to technology, the probability of a tire exploding has become less today. However, car owners must regularly check the tire pressure and respect the maximum permissible load.
Also, season-appropriate tires with a degree of wear above the minimum acceptable must be used.
