Practice question

What should you do if your vehicle begins to skid?

  1. Turn in the opposite direction of the skid
  2. Shift into neutral
  3. Steer in the direction you want to go
  4. Apply brakes heavily

Answer: C — Steer in the direction you want to go

When your vehicle begins to skid, the correct response is to steer in the direction you want to go. This technique is often referred to as "steering into the skid." By doing this, you help regain control of the vehicle by aligning the wheels with the direction of travel. Most skids occur because of a loss of traction, and steering towards the intended path allows the tires to re-establish grip on the road. If you were to turn in the opposite direction of the skid, it could further complicate the situation, making the skid worse. Shifting into neutral is often discouraged because it can cause a loss of control and makes it harder to steer. Applying brakes heavily can lead to additional loss of traction, increasing the risk of spinning out of control. Therefore, steering towards the desired path is essential for recovering from a skid effectively.

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