What should you do if your vehicle skids?

When a vehicle skids, the most effective reaction is to steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go. This technique is often referred to as "steering into the skid." By doing this, you're effectively realigning the vehicle with the direction of travel, helping to regain control. This action allows the tires to regain traction on the road, preventing further sliding.

Understanding the dynamics of skidding is crucial: when a vehicle's wheels lose traction, they cannot effectively steer or brake. Therefore, simply applying the brakes or accelerating can exacerbate the situation, as these actions may cause the vehicle to slide further or spin out of control.

It’s also important to note that turning sharply in the opposite direction typically leads to a loss of control and can cause the vehicle to spin, making the situation worse rather than better. While braking gently might seem like a viable option to stop the skid, it might not be effective in all skid scenarios and could worsen the loss of control if not executed correctly. Therefore, the best approach remains to steer into the skid, allowing you to navigate the situation safely and maintain control of your vehicle.