If a tire blows at high speed:

Question: If a tire blows at high speed:

Answer options:

• Slam on the brakes ✅ Hold the wheel firmly, ease off the gas, brake gently after slowing
• Steer hard to the shoulder
• Pull the parking brake

Correct answer: Hold the wheel firmly, ease off the gas, brake gently after slowing

Explanation: If a tire blows at high speed, keeping a firm grip on the steering wheel and releasing the accelerator maintains vehicle stability while allowing natural deceleration. Braking gently only after the vehicle has slowed prevents a dangerous skid. Conversely, slamming on the brakes, steering abruptly toward the shoulder, or pulling the parking brake will lock the wheels or cause a violent weight transfer, leading to a complete loss of control or a rollover. Under SAAQ safe-driving guidelines, maintaining directional control and avoiding panic braking is the standard procedure for handling blowouts. Expect emergency vehicle control scenarios to appear frequently on the SAAQ exam to test your defensive driving instincts.