Practice question

In a loss of control situation, which recovery action is recommended?

  1. Brake hard and steer toward the closest shoulder
  2. Accelerate to regain traction
  3. Target, off brakes and gas, steer to target
  4. Turn wheel sharply in the direction of the skid

Answer: C — Target, off brakes and gas, steer to target

When you lose traction, your priority is to regain control by reducing wheel slip and guiding the car back to a stable path. The recommended approach is to ease off both the brake and the gas, then steer toward a targeted path—look where you want the car to go and steer toward that point. This helps the tires regain grip and aligns the vehicle back onto a safe course. Blocking or suddenly braking, or hammering the accelerator, tends to worsen the skid, and turning sharply into the skid can push you into a loss of control.

Practice more: Safeway Driving Reality Check Adult Class Practice Exam →