If your vehicle begins to skid, you should:
Ease up on the gas pedal.
Brake as hard as possible.
Turn off the ignition.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is: Ease up on the gas pedal.
Explanation:
When your vehicle begins to skid, it’s a sign that you’ve lost traction with the road. Reacting correctly can help you regain control and prevent an accident. Here’s why easing up on the gas pedal is the correct response:
1. Understanding Skids
A skid happens when your tires lose grip due to conditions such as wet, icy, or gravel-covered roads. This can occur when you accelerate too quickly, brake abruptly, or turn sharply.
2. The Danger of Overreacting
- Braking as hard as possible can worsen the skid. Hard braking causes the wheels to lock up, especially if your vehicle doesn’t have anti-lock brakes (ABS). This eliminates any remaining traction, making it even harder to regain control.
- Turning off the ignition is dangerous and not recommended. It results in a loss of power steering and braking assist, making the vehicle nearly impossible to control.
3. The Proper Action
Easing off the gas pedal reduces the force causing the skid without abruptly changing the vehicle’s balance. This allows the tires to slowly regain traction.
4. Additional Steps for Regaining Control
- Steer in the direction of the skid: If the back of your vehicle slides to the right, gently steer to the right. This realigns the tires with the direction of travel, helping regain control.
- Avoid oversteering: Overcorrection can cause the vehicle to fishtail or spin out.
- Use gentle braking if needed: For vehicles with ABS, apply steady pressure on the brake. Without ABS, use a technique called “pumping” to prevent wheel lock-up.
5. Prevention is Key
- Drive at appropriate speeds for road conditions.
- Ensure your tires are in good condition and properly inflated.
By staying calm and easing off the gas, you give yourself the best chance to safely recover from a skid.