What should you do if your vehicle begins to skid?

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 regain control because when a vehicle skids, it typically loses traction. By steering in the intended direction, you align the wheels with the direction you want to travel, which can help stabilize the vehicle as traction is restored.

The technique of steering into the skid allows for a more controlled recovery. It helps prevent over-correcting, which could worsen the skid. This approach is grounded in maintaining a calm and responsive mindset while driving under challenging conditions.

The other responses do not provide the best course of action during a skid. For instance, braking hard can cause the wheels to lock up, making it even harder to regain traction and control. Turning off the engine in a skid is not practical, as it does not address the loss of control and could lead to further problems if the vehicle's power steering or brakes become unavailable. Accelerating while skidding can also lead to a loss of control and increase the risk of spinning out. Hence, steering in the desired direction is the best practice for managing skids.