Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles Permit Practice Test

What should you do to avoid a collision if your vehicle begins to skid?

1. Steer toward the skid

2. Shift into a lower gear

3. Brake forcefully

4. Accelerate to regain control

The correct answer is: Steer toward the skid

When your vehicle begins to skid, steering toward the skid is the correct action to take. This technique is often referred to as "steering into the skid." When you do this, you align your vehicle’s wheels with the direction you want to go, which helps regain control and allows the tires to regain traction on the road. In a skid, the rear of the vehicle may slide out, and by steering in the direction of the skid, you counteract the slide. For example, if the back of your car skids to the right, you turn the steering wheel to the right. This action helps bring the vehicle back onto a straight path and prevents overcorrection, which could lead to further loss of control. This technique contrasts with other options. Shifting into a lower gear can disrupt the traction of your vehicle and might not help if you are in a skid. Braking forcefully can exacerbate the skid by locking the wheels and eliminating any momentum control. Accelerating would also worsen the loss of control by increasing speed instead of stabilizing the vehicle. Therefore, steering toward the skid is the most effective and safest strategy to avoid a collision during a skid.