What are basic rules for controlling a skid?

Controlling a skid effectively is crucial for maintaining vehicle stability and safety during emergency situations. The correct action involves getting off the accelerator and steering through the skid. This method allows the driver to regain control of the vehicle in a slippery situation.

When a vehicle begins to skid, its wheels lose traction with the road surface. By removing pressure from the accelerator, the driver reduces the power being sent to the wheels, which helps them regain traction more effectively. Simultaneously, steering into the direction of the skid—also part of this correct approach—helps to align the wheels with the direction of travel, which is essential for regaining control and preventing further loss of traction.

The other strategies, such as accelerating through the skid or braking hard, can exacerbate the situation by increasing the likelihood of losing control. Accelerating can worsen the skid by further destabilizing the vehicle, and hard braking often leads to a complete loss of traction, which is counterproductive when trying to regain control.