Delaware Driver Education State Practice Test

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

1. Brake hard immediately

2. Steer in the opposite direction of the skid

3. Steer in the direction of the skid

4. Accelerate to gain traction

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

When your vehicle begins to skid, the appropriate action is to steer in the direction of the skid. This technique helps to regain control of the vehicle. When you steer into the skid, you align the wheels with the direction the vehicle is moving, allowing the tires to regain contact with the road surface as the vehicle straightens out. In a skid, the vehicle may lose traction, causing it to slide sideways. By steering in the direction of the skid, you help to counteract the effect of the slippery surface, allowing the vehicle to come back under control rather than spinning out. It's essential to remain calm and make precise movements without oversteering, which could lead to further loss of control. This advice contrasts with actions such as braking hard, which can exacerbate the skid by further destabilizing the vehicle, or accelerating in hopes of gaining traction, which is typically ineffective in slippery conditions. Steering in the opposite direction of the skid can also be counterproductive, as it may lead to a loss of control and increase the risk of a spin-out.