If you experience a tyre blowout, what should you do first?

When experiencing a tyre blowout, the most important first step is to ensure that the car remains under control. This situation can cause the vehicle to become unsteady, and overreacting could lead to a loss of control. By focusing on steering and maintaining control, you can manage the vehicle's direction and avoid panic.

Once you have stabilized the vehicle, it is appropriate to gradually reduce speed by easing off the accelerator and gently applying the brakes if necessary, while avoiding hard braking, which could further destabilize the car.

The other options suggest actions that can lead to dangerous outcomes, such as pulling the hand brake suddenly, which could cause the vehicle to skid or flip, or accelerating, which is counterintuitive when you need to regain control. Taking hands off the steering wheel would also significantly increase the risk of losing control. Therefore, the correct first action in this scenario is to focus on keeping the vehicle steady.