Practice question

What should a driver do if their vehicle starts to skid?

  1. Steer away from the direction they want to go
  2. Steer in the direction they want to go
  3. Apply brakes immediately
  4. Accelerate to regain control

Answer: B — Steer in the direction they want to go

When a vehicle starts to skid, the most effective response is to steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go. This technique helps to regain control of the vehicle as it aligns the front wheels with the direction of travel. By steering into the skid, you allow the tires to regain traction and help avoid a more severe loss of control. If a driver were to steer away from the desired direction, it could exacerbate the skid, as the rear wheels would continue to slide out, potentially leading to a spin. Similarly, applying brakes immediately can worsen the skid by locking the wheels and losing even more traction. Accelerating during a skid is also not advisable, as it can increase the speed of the slide, making control more difficult. Therefore, turning in the direction you want to go is the safest and most effective method to safely navigate a skid.

Practice more: South Dakota Driving Practice Test →