What steps should a driver take if their vehicle starts to skid?

When a vehicle starts to skid, the correct response is to steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go. This technique is known as "steering into the skid" and is essential for regaining control of the vehicle. By steering in the desired direction, the driver can help realign the vehicle's tires with the road surface, which is crucial for regaining traction and control.

This approach works because skidding is often caused by a loss of traction between the tires and the road, usually due to ice, water, or other slippery conditions. By steering into the skid, the vehicle's dynamics can be adjusted so that the rear wheels regain traction and follow the front wheels, allowing the driver to regain control and guide the vehicle safely.

In contrast, accelerating to regain control is not effective, as it can make the situation worse by further losing traction. Braking hard can lead to additional loss of control, making the skid more dangerous. Lastly, turning the steering wheel back and forth can confuse the vehicle’s steering and create additional instability, making it more difficult to recover from the skid.