What should you do if your vehicle is skidding?

When your vehicle is skidding, the best course of action is to steer in the direction you want to go and avoid slamming on the brakes. This technique helps you regain control of the vehicle, as it allows the tires to regain traction with the road. By steering into the skid—meaning if the back end is sliding to the right, you should turn the steering wheel to the right—you help align the vehicle’s direction with where it is physically moving, aiding in stabilization.

Applying the brakes hard can worsen the skid by locking up the wheels, which can lead to even less control and an increased risk of sliding. Similarly, turning the steering wheel sharply in any direction without considering the skid increases the chances of losing control further. Acceleration in the middle of a skid usually leads to a loss of traction and could exacerbate the situation, making it more difficult to regain control. Thus, the recommended action of steering in the direction you wish to go is a critical skill for safely navigating a skid.