What to Do During a Fleet Tire Blowout

25 Sep 2018

Tire blowouts can be extremely dangerous in the best of circumstances. Understanding how to deal with blowouts can help your fleet minimize damage and risks, saving lives, property, and cargo when they occur.

The more you know about the process of driving safely during a blowout, you’ll be better prepared to help your fleet drivers understand how to keep level heads and drive safely through what could easily become a dangerous situation.

Offer Driver Training on Blowout Response

One of the most important things you can do for your drivers is to offer detailed training on what causes blowouts, what happens during blowouts, and the safest way for drivers to respond when blowouts occur. In fact, you need to conduct this training frequently.

Why?

Because familiarity breeds comfort. Drivers who are familiar with the steps involved in navigating a blown tire safely are less likely to panic, overreact or overcorrect when one actually happens.

Instruct Drivers on How to Drive Through Blowouts

There are several steps involved in driving safely through a blowout. Many drivers get into danger by allowing panic to take over. The instinctual response to an unexpected tire blowing out is to get off the road as quickly as possible. In most situations, that is the right move to make. Not when a tire blows out.

Here’s what drivers need to do instead:

Remain calm.
Keep a firm grip on the steering wheel without turning the wheel.
Do not hit the brakes.
Ease off the accelerator.
Allow the car to gradually slow.
Pull off the road once a safe speed is achieved.
Turn on emergency flashers.

Once the vehicle has been safely parked, drivers can call for help. This is an instance where GPS fleet tracking is extremely valuable. It can help pinpoint the driver’s exact location, so you can send for necessary repairs or emergency responders according to the situation.

Practice Proper Preventative Policies for Your Fleet

The best practice for your fleet, of course, is to prevent blowouts to begin with. Adopt policies that preserve tires, monitor tire pressure and inflation, and avoid driving in ways that place additional, unnecessary strain on the tires of your fleet vehicles.

Keeping your fleet drivers and vehicles safe and well-maintained are a priority for your business. Ensuring your drivers understand how to respond during a multitude of emergencies on the road can save lives and preserve the condition of your vehicles and the cargo your drivers are carrying. It’s good business for you.

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About George Karonis

George Karonis is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of LiveViewGPS Inc., a company he established in 2008 with the vision of making real-time GPS tracking more reliable, affordable, and accessible for businesses of all sizes. Over the past two decades, he has built a reputation as an innovator in GPS tracking, fleet management, asset monitoring, and Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PTToC) communications. Under George's leadership, LiveViewGPS has grown into a nationally recognized provider of GPS tracking solutions, serving businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, law enforcement organizations, and public works departments throughout the United States. The company's technology helps organizations improve operational efficiency, protect valuable assets, increase driver safety, and reduce operating costs through real-time location intelligence. Before founding LiveViewGPS, George developed a background in security, surveillance, and emerging location technologies. His passion for innovation and practical problem solving has driven the development of products that combine dependable hardware with easy-to-use cloud software, giving customers actionable information when it matters most. In 2018, George expanded into nationwide Push-to-Talk over Cellular communications by launching PeakPTT, providing businesses with rugged, instant communication solutions that operate over LTE and Wi-Fi networks. His focus has remained the same throughout his career: delivering dependable technology backed by exceptional customer service and long-term customer relationships. George regularly writes about GPS tracking, fleet management, asset protection, business technology, and communication systems. Through this blog, he shares industry insights, practical advice, and emerging trends to help organizations make informed decisions about tracking technology and connected operations.