If your car starts to skid, turn your steering wheel:
To keep the front wheels straight.
In the direction you want the vehicle to go.
In the opposite direction of the skid.
In any direction. It doesn’t matter.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is: In the direction you want the vehicle to go.
When your car begins to skid, it’s important to regain control of the vehicle and prevent further sliding or spinning. A skid occurs when the tires lose their grip on the road surface, often due to slippery conditions like rain, snow, or ice, or when you brake suddenly or turn too sharply. In this situation, the key is to steer your vehicle in the direction you want to go, which is known as “steering into the skid.”
Explanation:
- Understanding a skid: Skids happen when the tires cannot maintain traction with the road, and the car starts sliding uncontrollably. In a skid, the rear tires may lose grip first (in a rear-wheel skid), or the front tires may lose grip (in a front-wheel skid). Either way, the car’s movement becomes unpredictable.
- Why steer in the direction you want to go: When a skid occurs, the car’s wheels are no longer pointed in the direction they are moving. Steering into the skid (in the direction you want the car to go) helps realign the vehicle’s tires with the road. This adjustment can help restore traction, especially when the road conditions are slick.
- What to avoid: If you steer in the opposite direction of the skid, you may worsen the situation, causing the vehicle to spin out of control. Similarly, turning the steering wheel too sharply or randomly can further destabilize the car.
- Other actions to take during a skid: In addition to steering correctly, you should not brake suddenly. Abrupt braking can make the skid worse. Instead, gently ease off the accelerator and, if necessary, apply the brakes in a smooth, controlled manner to regain control.
By steering into the direction of the skid, you help the car’s tires regain traction and avoid a complete loss of control, improving your chances of recovering from the skid safely.