Practice question

What is the recommended action if you start to skid on a wet surface?

  1. Turn the steering wheel sharply
  2. Brake hard to regain control
  3. Ease off the accelerator and steer in the direction you want to go
  4. Accelerate to regain grip

Answer: C — Ease off the accelerator and steer in the direction you want to go

When you begin to skid on a wet surface, the recommended action is to ease off the accelerator and steer in the direction you want to go. This technique helps to regain control of the vehicle by reducing momentum, allowing the tires to regain grip on the road surface. Maintaining awareness of your steering direction is crucial since steering into the skid aligns the vehicle's path with where you want to go, facilitating a smoother recovery. Turning the steering wheel sharply can lead to oversteering, which might worsen the skid rather than correct it. On the other hand, braking hard can lock the wheels, making it difficult to steer and could result in a loss of control. Accelerating during a skid is not advisable, as it can further reduce traction and exacerbate the loss of control. Hence, easing off the accelerator and steering correctly emerges as the best practice for regaining control on wet surfaces.

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