What should a driver do if their vehicle starts to skid?

When a vehicle begins to skid, the driver should steer in the direction of the skid. This technique allows the driver to regain control of the vehicle. When the rear wheels lose traction and slide to one side, turning the steering wheel in that same direction helps to realign the vehicle's front wheels with the rear wheels, thus allowing them to gain traction again.

If the driver were to brake immediately, they might worsen the skid because braking can transfer weight to the front of the vehicle and further reduce the rear wheels' traction. Steering in the opposite direction of the skid can create a counterproductive effect, potentially resulting in a loss of control. Accelerating out of the skid will not address the lack of traction and can lead to oversteering or a loss of control as well. Therefore, steering in the direction of the skid is the most effective response to regain control of the vehicle during a skid.