What should you do if your vehicle starts to skid?

When your vehicle starts to skid, the best response is to take your foot off the gas and steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go. This technique allows you to regain control over the steering instead of forcing the vehicle in a direction it is not currently heading. By steering towards where you want to go, you can help realign the wheels with the road, thus reducing the risk of spinning out and regaining stability.

This approach works because it acknowledges the need to let off the accelerator, which reduces speed and helps the tires regain their grip. Simultaneously, steering into the skid corrects the vehicle's path, allowing the tires to regain traction with the road surface, leading to a smoother recovery.

Taking other actions, such as braking hard, could disrupt the balance of the vehicle further and lead to a loss of control, while steering in the opposite direction of the skid could exacerbate the situation by causing the vehicle to pivot unpredictably. Activating the hazard lights, while useful in certain situations, does not assist in regaining control of the vehicle during a skid.