What usually causes locked wheel skids?

Locked wheel skids typically occur when a driver applies the brakes too hard, particularly at high speeds. This action can cause the wheels to lock up and lose traction with the road surface. Once the wheels are locked, the vehicle can start to slide in the direction it is headed because the tires are no longer able to grip the road effectively.

Maintaining control during braking is essential, especially in emergency situations. It’s crucial for drivers to apply brakes smoothly and progressively, as sudden, hard braking can lead to a loss of control. This is particularly true in conditions where the road may be slick, further amplifying the risk of sliding and skidding.

In contrast, while turning the steering wheel too sharply, accelerating rapidly from a stop, or driving on wet roads can also contribute to loss of traction in different ways, they don’t specifically cause locked wheel skids as directly as braking too hard does. Each of these other scenarios can lead to skids or loss of control but are not primarily linked to the locking of wheels caused by heavy braking.