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What should you do if your car starts to skid on a slippery road?

  1. Steer in the direction of the skid

  2. Brake hard to regain control

  3. Immediately turn the steering wheel left

  4. Accelerate to pull out of the skid

The correct answer is: Steer in the direction of the skid

When your car starts to skid on a slippery road, the most effective technique is to steer in the direction of the skid. This practical approach allows you to regain control of the vehicle and helps align the wheels with the direction of travel. By doing so, you can guide the car back onto its intended path. Anytime a car skids, it is because the rear wheels have lost traction. Steering into the skid counteracts the motion of the back end, helping to stabilize the vehicle. In contrast, applying the brakes hard can lead to further loss of control, as it can cause the wheels to lock up and exacerbate the skid. Similarly, abruptly turning the steering wheel in another direction can confuse the vehicle's response and cause it to spin out of control. Accelerating while skidding is also detrimental, as it decreases traction and can worsen the situation by sending the car into a more uncontrollable state. Mastering the correct response to skidding is essential for safety and effective vehicle handling, especially in adverse weather conditions.