What should a driver do to regain control when skidding?

To regain control when skidding, a driver should steer in the direction of the skid. This technique is essential because steering into the skid allows the driver to align the vehicle’s tires with the direction the vehicle is sliding. By doing so, the driver can regain traction and help the vehicle stabilize.

When a vehicle begins to skid, the rear end typically slides out, causing the front of the car to point toward the direction the vehicle is moving. Steering into the skid helps to counterbalance this motion. For instance, if the back of the vehicle slides to the right, turning the steering wheel to the right helps to bring the front of the car in line with the back, thereby regaining control of the vehicle.

Other options present ineffective or dangerous reactions to skidding. Accelerating quickly can worsen the skid by increasing the speed at which the vehicle is sliding, and braking hard can lead to further loss of control by locking the wheels. Steering in the opposite direction of the skid can result in oversteering and lead to a loss of control as well. Thus, the correct method is to steer in the direction of the skid to effectively regain control of the vehicle.