What is the safest way to handle a tire blowout in a commercial vehicle?

Maintaining control and gradually slowing down is the safest way to handle a tire blowout in a commercial vehicle. When a tire blows out, the vehicle can experience a sudden shift in balance, which can make it difficult to control. By gradually slowing down, the driver can minimize the risk of losing control and avoid jerky movements that could worsen the situation.

Slowing down steadily allows the driver to maintain better handling of the vehicle, enabling them to safely steer to the side of the road or a safe location. This approach helps prevent the vehicle from veering off course and reduces the risk of further accidents or damage.

Other methods, such as braking immediately, could lead to skidding or losing control, and speeding up is counterproductive as it can exacerbate any instability caused by the blowout. Shifting into neutral does not effectively address the situation and could complicate regaining control as the vehicle continues to move forward without the drive train engaged. Therefore, the overall strategy of maintaining control while progressively slowing down provides the safest and most effective response to a tire blowout.