Practice question

What is the proper action to take if your vehicle begins to skid on a slippery road?

  1. Brake immediately and firmly
  2. Turn in the direction of the skid
  3. Turn the opposite direction of the skid
  4. Accelerate to gain control

Answer: B — Turn in the direction of the skid

When your vehicle begins to skid on a slippery road, the appropriate action is to turn in the direction of the skid. This technique helps to regain control of the vehicle. When the rear wheels start to slide out, steering in the direction of the skid aligns the front wheels with the direction you want to go. It allows the tires to regain traction as the vehicle straightens out, reducing the chances of oversteering or further losing control. Braking immediately and firmly can lead to more skidding because it can lock up the wheels, while accelerating during a skid is likely to worsen the loss of control. Turning the opposite direction of the skid could also further destabilize the vehicle. Correctly responding by steering into the skid is crucial for safe driving in slippery conditions.

Practice more: Washington State Driver's License Written Practice Test →