What should you do first if your car starts to skid?

When a car starts to skid, the first action to take is to remove your foot from the gas pedal and steer into the skid. This method is crucial because it allows you to regain control of the vehicle by aligning the front wheels with the direction of the skid. Steering into the skid means turning your wheel in the direction that you want the front of the car to go, which helps to prevent the rear of the car from sliding further out.

This technique is effective because it utilizes the vehicle's momentum and the natural dynamics of driving. By taking your foot off the gas, you reduce the amount of power being sent to the wheels, allowing them to regain traction. As the car begins to correct itself with the steering input, it will be able to regain grip on the road surface, reducing the likelihood of a more serious accident.

Simply braking hard can exacerbate the skid, as it can lead to a loss of steering control, making the situation worse. Turning the steering wheel opposite the skid might seem intuitive, but it can actually cause the car to spin out if not executed perfectly. Accelerating may also worsen the skid by increasing speed when the vehicle is already out of control. Therefore, steering into the skid while gently taking your foot off the gas