What should you do if your vehicle starts to skid?

When your vehicle starts to skid, the appropriate response is to steer in the direction you want to go. This method helps to regain control of the vehicle by aligning the wheels with the actual direction of travel. When skidding, the back of your vehicle may slide out and cause a loss of control; thus, steering into the direction of the skid effectively counteracts this loss of traction.

For instance, if your rear wheels are sliding to the left, you should gently steer to the left as well. This helps to reestablish traction on the road. Maintaining a calm demeanor and avoiding abrupt movements allows for smoother recovery from the skid.

In contrast, other options like braking hard can intensify the skid by locking up the wheels and further losing traction. Accelerating quickly would also exacerbate the situation, causing the vehicle to skid uncontrollably. Steering in the opposite direction usually doesn't work because it could lead to oversteering, creating a situation where the car may spin out. Thus, focusing on steering in the direction you wish to go is the most effective way to regain control during a skid.