You find an overheated tire during an en-route inspection. If you are hauling hazardous materials, you must:

When encountering an overheated tire while transporting hazardous materials, it is crucial to prioritize safety. The appropriate course of action is to remove the tire and place it a safe distance from the vehicle. This step minimizes the risk of potential ignition or explosion since overheated tires can present serious hazards, especially when hazardous materials are involved.

By placing the tire at a safe distance, you reduce the threat to other parts of the vehicle and the cargo, ensuring that if the tire should catch fire or fail, it does not endanger the transport or surrounding areas. This practice aligns with safety protocols designed to protect both the vehicle operator and the environment, especially when dealing with hazardous materials that are already inherently dangerous.

Cooling the tire or checking it every two hours might seem like a precaution, but these actions do not adequately address the immediate hazard posed by the overheated tire. Similarly, simply waiting for a specific time period does not facilitate the safe management of the risk involved. Prioritizing the removal and safe placement of the tire is the most effective and responsible response in this situation.