What should be your initial action when you start to skid on a slippery road?

When you start to skid on a slippery road, the appropriate initial action is to steer into the skid. This means that if the rear end of your vehicle begins to slide to the right, you should turn your steering wheel to the right as well. This technique helps to realign the vehicle's wheels with the direction of travel and regain control. By doing so, you allow the tires to regain traction on the road, which can help prevent further skidding and stabilize the vehicle.

Maintaining a calm and controlled response is important during a skid. Steering into the skid facilitates the car's natural tendency to return to a straight path as soon as it regains traction. In contrast, other actions, like stepping on the brake firmly, can exacerbate the skid by further upsetting the vehicle's balance, while turning the steering wheel in the opposite direction can lead to a loss of control. Turning off the engine does not address the immediate issue of regaining traction and control, which is critical during a skid situation.