What should you do if your car starts to skid?

When your car starts to skid, the appropriate response is to ease off the accelerator and steer in the desired direction. This technique helps regain control by allowing the vehicle to move toward the intended path rather than against it. By easing off the accelerator, you reduce the power being applied to the wheels, which can help them regain traction. Steering into the skid—or in the direction you want the front of the car to go—aligns the vehicle's wheels with the direction of travel, facilitating recovery from the skid.

This method contrasts with applying the brakes firmly, which could further destabilize the vehicle and worsen the skid. Sharp turns of the steering wheel can lead to overcorrection, causing the car to skid even more or enter into a spin. Activating hazard lights is generally a good safety measure but does not directly help in regaining control of the vehicle during a skid. Understanding these dynamics is vital for safe driving, especially in adverse weather conditions.