What actions should you take if your car begins to skid?

When your car begins to skid, the most effective action to take is to steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go. This action helps to realign the vehicle’s path and can smooth out the skid by allowing the tires to regain traction. When you steer into the skid, you're helping the car to recover from the loss of traction and stabilize it.

This technique is rooted in understanding how the vehicle dynamics work during a skid. When the rear wheels lose traction, the front wheels may still have control. By steering towards where you want to end up, you guide the vehicle back on track, facilitating a safer recovery.

The other options do not contribute positively to regaining control. Braking hard can worsen the skid since it can lock the wheels and inhibit any steering response. Turning the steering wheel sharply in the opposite direction can cause a fishtailing effect, making it more difficult to control the vehicle. Accelerating may seem counterintuitive in a skid; it can lead to further loss of control as the wheels continue to spin without proper traction. Thus, steering in the desired direction is the most effective method for regaining control during a skid.