What should you do if your vehicle starts to skid?

When your vehicle begins to skid, the most effective response is to steer in the direction of the skid. This action helps to realign the vehicle’s tires with the direction you want to go, allowing for better traction and control. By turning the steering wheel in the direction of the skid, you counteract the motion that caused the skid, enabling the car to regain stability.

In a skid, the back of the vehicle moves in one direction while the front heads in another. Steering into the skid helps to bring the vehicle back under control and reduces the risk of spinning out. This technique is particularly important on slippery surfaces, where losing traction can happen quickly.

Applying the brakes immediately can exacerbate the skid, as it may cause the wheels to lock up, leading to a loss of control. Steering away from the skid might initially seem purposeful, but it does not effectively help regain control and may lead to a greater loss of direction. Accelerating during a skid can worsen the situation, as it increases speed and makes it even more difficult to regain control of the vehicle.