applying your smart driving skills Vehicle breakdowns  Tire blowout You in the driver’s seat Strategies: handling a tire blowout Brake failure  126 Total brake failure is rare. However, if your brake system fails,  you will need to use your  see-think-do  skills to respond quickly  and safely. To help stay safe when a tire blows out:  When a front tire blows out, your vehicle can be pulled in the  direction of the deflated tire, especially at high speeds. A rear  blowout can cause the vehicle to start skidding. You are driving along a highway when your front tire  suddenly blows out.  What should you do? An unexpected vehicle breakdown can create a dangerous  situation for you and your passengers. The best prevention is  having a well‑maintained vehicle and doing regular periodic  and pre‑trip checks. • Keep a firm grip on the steering wheel.  • Don’t brake suddenly and risk loss of steering control.  Ease off the accelerator and decelerate slowly. You can  start to brake gently once the car has slowed down.  • Steer in the direction you want to go. (See  Skid control earlier in this chapter.)  • Signal or put on the hazard lights and pull off the road  as soon as it’s safe. 