What should you do if your vehicle starts to skid?

When a vehicle starts to skid, the appropriate action is to steer into the direction of the skid. This technique is known as "counter-steering" and helps to regain control of the vehicle. When you steer in the direction that the rear wheels are sliding, you align the front wheels with the direction of travel, allowing the vehicle to stabilize and return to a straight path.

In a skid, the rear wheels lose traction, which can cause the rear of the vehicle to slide out. By steering into the skid, you effectively allow the vehicle to regain traction gradually, as this action helps balance the weight distribution and naturally guides the vehicle back on track. It is a fundamental technique in vehicle control, especially in slippery conditions like rain, snow, or ice.

The other options would lead to further loss of control. For instance, braking immediately could cause the wheels to lock up, exacerbating the skid. Turning sharply away from the skid direction could cause the vehicle to spin out completely, while accelerating could worsen the situation by reducing traction and increasing speed without offering better control. Thus, steering into the direction of the skid is the best method to regain control effectively.