When a vehicle is in a skid, which action should you take?

When a vehicle is in a skid, which action should you take?

• A. Take your foot off the accelerator, steer in the direction of the skid. Do not brake until steering is re-established.
• B. Slam on the brakes to regain control.
• C. Turn the wheel opposite the skid and brake.
• D. Stop the vehicle and check surroundings.

Answer: (A)

When a vehicle starts to skid, the priority is to regain steering control and reduce the loss of traction. Easing off the accelerator helps tires regain grip and slows the vehicle without suddenly shifting weight that can worsen the skid. Steering in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go—into the skid—helps align the wheels with the intended path, making recovery smoother. Braking hard or braking while the wheels aren’t gripping can lock the wheels or exceed the available traction, making the skid worse. Turning opposite the skid is an overcorrection that can spin the vehicle, and stopping to check surroundings mid-skid removes your ability to steer and recover. Once you feel the tires regain traction and the vehicle begins to straighten, you can apply gentle braking to bring the vehicle to a controlled stop.

When a vehicle starts to skid, the priority is to regain steering control and reduce the loss of traction. Easing off the accelerator helps tires regain grip and slows the vehicle without suddenly shifting weight that can worsen the skid. Steering in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go—into the skid—helps align the wheels with the intended path, making recovery smoother. Braking hard or braking while the wheels aren’t gripping can lock the wheels or exceed the available traction, making the skid worse. Turning opposite the skid is an overcorrection that can spin the vehicle, and stopping to check surroundings mid-skid removes your ability to steer and recover. Once you feel the tires regain traction and the vehicle begins to straighten, you can apply gentle braking to bring the vehicle to a controlled stop.