What should you do if your car starts to skid?

When your car starts to skid, the best course of action is to steer in the direction you want to go. This technique helps you regain control of the vehicle by aligning the front wheels with the direction in which you intend to travel. When skidding, the tires lose traction, and steering into the skid allows you to eventually bring the vehicle back into the path of travel.

This method is based on the principles of vehicle handling and physics, as it helps to counteract the spinning motion that often accompanies a skid. It is essential to keep a calm demeanor and avoid sudden movements that can exacerbate the skid.

Other responses, such as braking immediately and firmly, can worsen the skid because sudden braking can cause further loss of traction. Turning the steering wheel all the way to one side may lead to an overcorrection, potentially causing the vehicle to spin. Accelerating in a skid can also lead to a loss of control since it may cause the wheels to spin faster without regaining traction, further destabilizing the vehicle. Therefore, steering into the direction you want to go is a proven technique to help regain control of your vehicle during a skid.