What action should you take if your vehicle starts to skid?

When a vehicle begins to skid, the appropriate action to take is to steer in the direction you want the vehicle to go. This technique is known as "steering into the skid" and is critical for regaining control of the vehicle. When you feel the rear of your vehicle sliding, turning the steering wheel in the direction you wish to travel helps to realign the tires with the path of motion, allowing the tires to regain traction on the roadway.

Accelerating immediately can worsen the skid, as it increases the vehicle’s speed and further reduces control. Braking hard during a skid can cause the wheels to lock up, making it difficult to steer and often leading to a loss of control. Turning off the ignition is not a safe action, as it can disable essential systems like power steering and brakes, further complicating a recovery from a skid. Thus, steering in the desired direction is the most effective way to manage a skid and maintain control of the vehicle.