Vehicle Tire Blowouts: Avoiding Deadly
Consequences
Police Driving;
Safety Behind the Wheel
with Capt. Travis Yates
The rapid deflation of a vehicle tire or "blow-out"
can be a common event, and many times a fatal one.
Michelin reports approximately 535 fatalities and 23,000
collisions per year due to a tire blowout. It is nearly
impossible to train for the occurrence and the actions
of the driver immediately following the event could be
the difference between a severe wreck and simply
changing a tire.
The recent death of Florida Trooper Darryl Haywood
has been attributed in part to a rear tire blow-out
during the initiation of a police pursuit. The
investigation has yet to be completed on this tragedy
and this article in no way is placing blame on the
Florida Highway Patrol or Trooper Haywood. The incident
has brought the issue of tire blow-outs to the minds of
many and as a safety columnist; I would be remiss to not
address the issue in general terms for other police
officers.
Prevention
The easiest way to remain safe from a tire blow-out is
to prevent the occurrence. The proper inflation of
tires, monitoring the wear, and routine inspection of
tires is the proper course to avoid the occurrence.
Regardless of proactive measures, the event can still
occur.
The puncture of the tire is the most common cause
while hitting a curb, low tire pressure, normal wear out
and tire malfunction are some other causes. As a law
enforcement driver, it is best to be prepared for the
event and have the knowledge to prevent a tragic
consequence.
Actions
The first indication of a blow-out will be a tremendous,
booming sound going throughout the vehicle. This is a
critical point for the officer. The first action is to
avoid panic and to not overreact. The instinct of many
could be to brake hard or steer the vehicle. This could
lead to tragic consequences. The sound of a tire
blow-out can be scary but that is all. The dynamics of a
vehicle will not cause it to crash, the driver's actions
could.
Following a blow-out, vehicles have a tendency to
pull toward the side of the deflated tire. If the driver
reacts by jerking the steering wheel or pressing the
brakes to compensate, the loss of control could be
disastrous.
The proper action following a blow-out is to slightly
accelerate. This will keep the vehicle momentum constant
and will compensate for the pulling of the vehicle
towards the flat tire. The steering wheel should be held
straight and firm. Once the vehicle is under control and
away from traffic, the driver should decelerate or brake
lightly to stop the vehicle.
Michelin North America has been a Tire Safety Leader
as it relates to law enforcement officers. Thousands of
officers and driving professionals have been trained by
Michelin and the techniques described in this article
have been conducted repeatedly with success. A Tire
blow-out does not mean collision or tragedy. Law
Enforcement Officers will continue to drive their
vehicles in emergency situations and under adverse
conditions. It is important that in the event of a tire
blow-out, law enforcement officers have the knowledge to
keep themselves and others safe. |
