What should you do if your vehicle begins to skid?

When your vehicle begins to skid, the correct response is to steer in the direction of the skid. This technique is essential because it helps to realign the vehicle with the direction you want to go, allowing for better control. By steering into the skid, your vehicle’s rear wheels, which may have lost traction, are encouraged to regain grip on the road surface. This process helps to stabilize the vehicle and prevent it from spinning out of control.

The choice of braking hard and immediately is detrimental in a skid situation. Slamming on the brakes can worsen the loss of control, as locking the wheels decreases your ability to steer the vehicle effectively. Similarly, accelerating to regain control is counterproductive; it can exacerbate the skid by further reducing the tire's traction. Lastly, steering in the opposite direction of the skid could result in overcorrection, leading to a loss of control and potentially causing the vehicle to spin out.

Understanding this correct steering maneuver is crucial for safe driving, especially in adverse weather conditions like rain or snow when skids are more likely to occur.