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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