Tire blowout: The cause of Diogo Jota's accident? Keys to avoiding it

Football is plunged into mourning following the tragic death of Liverpool player Diogo Jota in a traffic accident early Thursday morning in Zamora. Along with his brother André, also a footballer, Jota was the victim of an accident in which their vehicle left the road and burst into flames.

Initial investigations by the Government Delegation in Castile and León point to a "tire blowout while overtaking" as the probable cause of the fatal outcome.

This incident highlights the vital importance of tire condition and pressure, a risk factor that is magnified by high summer temperatures.

In the midst of a heat wave and coinciding with the lockdown, authorities and road safety experts are stressing the need for extreme caution.

The Spanish vehicle fleet, with an average age of 14.5 years, presents a worrying situation: around 1.5 million vehicles are circulating with serious tire defects. The most common problems are uneven wear (48.5%), condition defects such as blisters or deformations (17.7%), and tread depth below the legal minimum (13.6%).

RACE explains that a blowout occurs when the tire, in poor condition, cannot contain the air pressure and ruptures at the sidewall. The driver will notice a loud noise followed by a strange and unintuitive movement of the car. In this situation, the key is to remain calm, hold the steering wheel firmly, and avoid braking abruptly, allowing the engine brake to gradually reduce speed until the vehicle can be brought to a safe stop.

To control this situation, you must first remain calm and never make sudden steering movements or brake hard. Doing so could destabilize the car and make it uncontrollable.

When you notice the initial noise, hold the steering wheel firmly and release the accelerator. It's important to let the engine brake slow the car down. Once you can control the car by slowing down, you should turn on your hazard lights and pull to the side of the road. If possible and safe, try to reach an exit.

The risk of a blowout increases fivefold in summer, especially in tires with lower pressures than recommended. Other factors that increase the risk include excessive loads and speed, and manufacturing defects or external damage.

The tire's manufacturing date is crucial: after ten years, its properties deteriorate, and it is recommended to replace it even if the tread is above the legal minimum (1.6 mm).