What should you do if your vehicle starts to skid?

When your vehicle starts to skid, the most effective response is to steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go. This action helps to regain control by aligning the vehicle’s direction with the intended path of travel, allowing the tires to regain traction on the road surface.

During a skid, whether it be due to ice, wet conditions, or other factors, the vehicle tends to slide sideways. By steering into the skid, you enable the vehicle to naturally straighten out and recover from the loss of control. This technique is often referred to as "steering into the skid" and is a fundamental skill in defensive driving.

Other actions, such as suddenly braking or sharply turning the steering wheel in the opposite direction, can exacerbate the situation and may result in more severe loss of control. Accelerating while skidding can also worsen the skid by further reducing traction. Therefore, the proper technique of steering in the direction of travel is critical for successfully navigating out of a skid.