What should you do immediately after experiencing a tire blowout?

When you experience a tire blowout, the primary goal is to maintain control of the vehicle. Gripping the steering wheel firmly and steering straight is crucial because it helps you stabilize the car after the loss of a tire. A blowout can cause the vehicle to pull sharply to one side, and by holding the steering wheel firmly and steering straight, you can counteract this pull and keep the vehicle on a straight course. This action minimizes the risk of swerving uncontrollably, which could lead to further accidents or loss of control.

After regaining control by steering correctly, the next step would typically involve safely slowing down the vehicle and pulling over to the side of the road when it's safe to do so. The other options, such as jamming on the brakes or swerving quickly, would likely increase the danger, making it harder to maintain control. Turning off the engine to conserve fuel is not practical in this scenario because maintaining control of the vehicle takes precedence until it can be brought to a safe stop.