What should you do if your vehicle starts to skid?

When your vehicle starts to skid, the best action is to steer in the direction of the skid. This maneuver helps you regain control of the vehicle by aligning the front wheels with the direction your rear wheels are sliding. For instance, if the rear of your car skids to the right, steering to the right will help pivot the vehicle back onto its intended path. This technique is known as counter-steering and is essential for recovering from a slide.

Steering in the opposite direction of the skid can lead to further loss of control, as it may cause the vehicle to spin out. Braking hard is also counterproductive during a skid; it can lock up the wheels, making it even harder to steer and recover. Turning off the ignition has no beneficial effect on regaining control and could even create additional hazards if the steering locks. Therefore, steering into the direction of the skid is crucial for safely maneuvering out of a skid.