What should you do if your vehicle starts to skid?

When your vehicle starts to skid, the best course of action is to steer in the direction of the skid. This means if your rear end is sliding to the left, you should turn your steering wheel to the left; if it’s sliding to the right, you should turn to the right. This technique helps to realign the vehicle’s wheels with the road, allowing for better traction and control.

Steering into the skid allows the vehicle to regain its intended path effectively, because it counteracts the oversteering that often leads to a loss of control. By doing this, the driver can help prevent a spinout and regain stability. It’s essential to remain calm and not overreact by making sudden turns that could exacerbate the skid.

In contrast, if a driver were to steer in the opposite direction of the skid, it could lead to a greater loss of control. Pumping the brakes suddenly can also disrupt the vehicle's stability and worsen the skid. Accelerating may cause more slippage and increase the potential for losing control of the vehicle. Therefore, steering into the skid is a critical skill for maintaining control during adverse driving conditions.