How should a driver react when they feel their vehicle beginning to skid?

When a driver feels their vehicle beginning to skid, the appropriate reaction is to look in the direction they want to go. This instinctive action helps the driver regain control of the vehicle. By focusing on the intended direction, the driver can better steer the vehicle towards that path, allowing for a more controlled and gentle correction.

This method is highly effective because when skidding, the vehicle may be losing traction, and looking toward the desired direction naturally guides your hands to follow that visual cue. Conversely, steering away from the direction of the skid can lead to oversteering, resulting in a loss of control. Braking hard to stop the skid can worsen the situation by causing the tires to lose even more traction. Accelerating to gain control is risky, as it could exacerbate the skid by increasing speed when what’s needed is reduced speed and stabilization.

In contrast to those approaches, looking where you want to go is a foundational technique for maintaining control during skids, emphasizing the importance of steering and focusing on regaining stability without abrupt movements.