Illinois CDL Practice Exam

Which action should be taken if a tire blows out while driving a commercial vehicle?

1. Immediately steer to the shoulder of the road

2. Maintain direction and gradually slow down

3. Brake hard to prevent losing control

4. Speed up to decrease the chance of flipping

The correct answer is: Maintain direction and gradually slow down

When a tire blows out while driving a commercial vehicle, the appropriate response is to maintain direction and gradually slow down. This method allows the driver to maintain control of the vehicle despite the loss of tire function. Sudden movements or rapid reactions, such as jerking the steering wheel or braking hard, can lead to loss of control and potentially result in an accident. By gradually slowing down, the driver can safely maneuver the vehicle to a stop in a controlled manner, reducing the risk of skidding or rolling over. It's essential to keep the vehicle straight when a tire fails since the sudden lack of balance caused by a blown tire can lead to oversteering, which can exacerbate the situation. Choosing to steer immediately toward the shoulder can cause abrupt changes that might destabilize the vehicle, while hard braking can also induce loss of control. Speeding up is counterintuitive, as it increases the risk of losing control and overcomplicates the situation, especially in a large vehicle. Therefore, staying calm, controlling the direction, and reducing speed is the safest course of action.