What should you do if your vehicle starts to skid?

When your vehicle starts to skid, the proper response is to steer in the direction of the skid. This technique helps regain control of the vehicle and allows it to follow the intended path. When a car skids, it typically indicates a loss of traction between the tires and the road surface. By steering into the direction where the rear of the vehicle is sliding, you encourage the tires to regain traction, which can help stabilize the vehicle and prevent a spin.

For instance, if the back of your vehicle skids to the left, you should turn the steering wheel to the left. This method helps align the front tires with the direction you wish to go, thus guiding the vehicle back onto the road or trajectory.

In contrast, braking hard can worsen the skid by locking up the wheels and further reducing traction. Accelerating in an attempt to gain traction can also be dangerous, as it may lead to losing control even more. Turning off the engine is not a practical solution since you would lose power steering and brakes, making it harder to control the vehicle effectively.