What is the correct action to take when you run off the pavement?

When you find yourself running off the pavement, the correct action is to hold the wheel firmly and take your foot off the gas pedal. This response is crucial for several reasons. First, maintaining a firm grip on the steering wheel helps to stabilize the vehicle and gives you better control as you move across uneven surfaces or gravel. By taking your foot off the gas, you reduce the speed of the vehicle, allowing it to slow down naturally rather than risking loss of control or sliding.

Attempting to sharply turn the steering wheel to the left can lead to overcorrection, which might cause you to veer further off the road or even roll the vehicle. Pressing the brakes firmly may cause the tires to skid, particularly if the ground is unstable or loose, increasing the likelihood of losing control. Accelerating back onto the pavement can be dangerous as it may lead to losing traction, and you might not be able to steer effectively back onto the road. Therefore, the best and safest approach is to steady the vehicle and slow down gradually until you can safely regain the road.