Practice question

What should you do if your vehicle starts to skid?

  1. Accelerate to regain control
  2. Steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go
  3. Brake hard immediately
  4. Turn off the engine

Answer: B — Steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go

When your vehicle begins to skid, the most effective response is to steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go. This method helps to regain control by realigning the vehicle with the intended path. In a skid, the rear wheels lose traction, and steering towards your destination allows the front wheels to regain grip, helping the vehicle to stabilize. Accelerating during a skid can worsen the situation, as it may increase speed and further reduce control. Hard braking is also counterproductive because it can lock the wheels and lead to a complete loss of steering ability. Turning off the engine is not a practical solution for recovering from a skid, as it does nothing to address the immediate loss of traction and does not assist in regaining control of the vehicle. Steering correctly is critical in recovering from a skid and preventing accidents.

Practice more: Alberta Written Class 4 Drivers License Practice Test →