When recovering from a skid, you should steer in which direction?

When recovering from a skid, you should steer in which direction?

• A. In the opposite direction of the skid
• B. Steer straight ahead
• C. In the same direction as the rear wheels are skidding
• D. Pump the brakes

Answer: (C)

Steering into the direction of the skid is the key idea. When the rear of the car starts to slide, turning the wheel toward that same direction helps realign the front wheels with the road, so the tyres can regain traction. This reduces the sideways motion and brings the vehicle back under control, after which you can straighten the steering gradually as grip returns. Steering opposite to the skid would push the rear further out and make the skid worse, while going straight ahead won’t correct the slide. Avoid pumping the brakes during a skid, as braking can lock wheels and worsen the loss of control.

Steering into the direction of the skid is the key idea. When the rear of the car starts to slide, turning the wheel toward that same direction helps realign the front wheels with the road, so the tyres can regain traction. This reduces the sideways motion and brings the vehicle back under control, after which you can straighten the steering gradually as grip returns. Steering opposite to the skid would push the rear further out and make the skid worse, while going straight ahead won’t correct the slide. Avoid pumping the brakes during a skid, as braking can lock wheels and worsen the loss of control.