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 vehicle to go while being careful to avoid overcorrection. This technique helps regain control of the vehicle by aligning the front wheels with the direction of travel. When you steer in the intended direction, the tires can regain traction on the road surface, allowing the driver to stabilize the vehicle.

Overcorrection can lead to a loss of control, as turning too much in the opposite direction can create another skid in the other direction. Therefore, maintaining a gentle and controlled steering motion is essential to recover from a skid effectively. This approach is applicable in various types of skidding situations, whether due to icy roads, sudden maneuvers, or loss of traction.

Other methods suggested, such as braking hard or turning sharply, can further unsettle the vehicle and lead to more severe skidding or loss of control. Shifting the transmission into neutral can momentarily relieve some stress on the wheels but does not help in regaining control. Steering opposite to the direction of the skid is ineffective and can exacerbate the situation. The focus should always be on steering smoothly towards the desired direction to recover safely from a skid.