In recent days， many regions across China have experienced intensely high temperatures， with some areas exceeding 40°C and road surface temperatures reaching over 70°C. These extreme conditions present significant driving safety risks， particularly concerning vehicle tires.
Fan Li， Vice Director of the Expert Committee at the National Engineering Research Center for Vehicle Driving Safety， has issued a reminder emphasizing the increased risk of tire blowouts. As ambient and road temperatures rise， the air pressure inside a car’s tires expands. This， combined with the heat generated from driving， can lead to a dangerous increase in tire temperature and pressure， elevating the likelihood of a blowout.
The risk escalates dramatically during sudden emergency braking. The friction between the tire and the road surface intensifies sharply under such circumstances， significantly increasing the probability of a blowout. Therefore， drivers are advised to maintain a stable driving style， avoiding sudden acceleration or sharp turns， and to minimize the need for hard braking.
In emergency situations， it is recommended to release the accelerator pedal and decelerate gradually. This approach reduces reliance on the brakes and， crucially， helps avoid the sudden， forceful application of brakes that can trigger a blowout.
Furthermore， for those undertaking long-distance journeys， reducing speed or scheduling regular rest stops can be beneficial. Stopping every 1.5 to 2 hours not only helps mitigate driver fatigue but also provides an opportunity for the tires to cool down naturally.
A crucial warning for vehicle owners is to avoid deliberately cooling tires by dousing them with water. This practice can cause the rubber to contract abruptly， potentially leading to structural damage and， paradoxically， increasing the risk of a blowout. Allowing tires to cool down naturally is the safest method.
Even in the event of a tire blowout， it is imperative to remain calm. Avoid abrupt braking or sharp steering， as these actions can destabilize the vehicle and lead to loss of control. After a blowout occurs， release the accelerator to allow the vehicle to decelerate naturally. Once the vehicle’s direction is reasonably stable， apply the brakes progressively in short bursts (pulsating braking) to bring the vehicle to a safe stop at the roadside.
